"Shook foundations of British rule...": Mallikarjun Kharge recalls 1942 Quit India Movement
New Delhi, August 9
Congress National President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday recalled the historic "Do or Die" call given by Mahatma Gandhi, noting that the 1942 Quit India Movement shook the foundations of British rule and provided a decisive direction to India's freedom struggle.
In an X post, Kharge recalled that millions of citizens from across the country joined the movement, penning a golden chapter of courage and sacrifice in the nation's history under the leadership of the Indian National Congress.
"The historic call of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi ji, 'Do or Die', launched the Quit India Movement in 1942, which shook the foundations of British rule and gave a decisive direction to the freedom struggle. Under the leadership of the Indian National Congress, millions of Indians from every corner of the country became part of this mass movement and, through their indomitable courage, struggle, and sacrifice, penned a golden chapter in the history of India's freedom," he said.
"On 'August Revolution Day', I pay my deepest respects to all the great freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the independence of the motherland," he added.
Moreover, Congress MP KC Venugopal described the campaign as one of the largest peaceful mass movements in world history, wherein ordinary people cornered a global empire and initiated the countdown for British withdrawal.
"In 1942 began one of the largest peaceful mass movements in world history, where a global empire was pushed to a corner by the ordinary people of India. Gandhiji's call for Quit India began the countdown for the British, and paved the way for our independence. It also reminds us that those fighting the oppressive regime were met with unprecedented repression, but through their resilience, they kept building pressure on the Britishers," he said.
Venugopal emphasised that the resilience shown against unprecedented repression during the freedom struggle should serve as a source of inspiration to fight injustice and defend the country's democracy today.
"It was also a time when the true patriots were identified - where forces like the RSS chose to betray the people of India and side with the British. In today's India, the Quit India movement must serve as a source of inspiration to fight against injustice and build resilience as a society to defeat oppressive forces who destroy our country's democracy," he said.
The Quit India Movement, also known as the Bharat Chodo Andolan, was started by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress on August 9, 1942, during the Second World War, demanding an end to British rule in India.
The movement was accompanied by a mass protest on non-violent lines by which Mahatma Gandhi called for "an orderly British withdrawal from India". Through his speeches, Gandhi moved people by proclaiming that "every Indian who desires freedom and strives for it must be his own guide."
On this day in 1942, Gandhi gave the clarion call of "Do or Die" to all Indians to drive the Britishers from the country. The movement had begun from Gawalia Tank in Mumbai. The day is observed as August Kranti Day every year.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The Quit India Movement was truly a turning point. My grandmother used to tell me stories about how her family participated in protests in their small town. The bravery of ordinary Indians against the British empire is unimaginable. We must never forget this golden chapter of our history. 🇮🇳
"Do or Die" - such powerful words! It's sad that today's politicians have diluted the spirit of that call. Whether it's Congress or BJP, nobody seems to be fighting for the common man's freedom from poverty, corruption, and poor governance. The real "Quit India" should be about quitting these divisive politics.
It's fascinating to learn about the Quit India Movement from an Indian perspective. As someone from the US, we don't get much education about the Indian independence struggle. The scale of the peaceful mass movement led by Gandhi ji is truly inspiring. History has shown that non-violent resistance can indeed shake empires. A lesson for all democracies today.
While I respect the sacrifices of our freedom fighters, I find Mr. Venugopal's comments about RSS betraying the nation during that time to be historically questionable and politically motivated. History should be remembered for its unity and sacrifice, not for scoring political points. Let's honor the movement without dragging in current political rivalries.
Pune mein rehta hu, aur yahan har saal August 9 ko local programs hote hain to remember the martyrs. The spirit of that movement is still alive in our culture. But honestly, aaj ke neta uss sacrifice ke layak nahi hai. They just use these occasions for photo ops and speeches. We need leaders who actually work for the
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