8 August: India observes 77th anniversary of Quit India movement

Every year 8 August is celebrated in India as August Kranti Din, in which tribute is paid to revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives in freedom struggle against rule. Also teachings given by Father of the Nation (Bapu), Mahatma Gandhi are remembered.

8 August 2019 is being observed as 77th anniversary of August Kranti Din, which is considered as one of important milestones in history of freedom struggle of our country.

August Kranti Din

Why 8 August? Every year 8 August is remembered as a conch shell of last battle for independence in Indian history. On this day in 1942, foundation of Quit India Movement, run by Mahatma Gandhi was laid, after which whole of India united against British and British rule had to kneel down. Since Independence, 8 August is known as Revolution Day and ground in Bombay where it was started by hoisting flag is known as Kranti Maidan.

77 years of Quit India Movement (or August Movement): When British did not fulfill their promise to liberate India even after taking help from India in 2nd world war and when Cripps Mission (March 1942) also failed, then On August 8, 1942 Mahatma Gandhi gave a clarion call to end the British rule and launched the Quit India Movement (or Bharat Chodo Andolan). The proposal for this movement was passed in Bombay session of All India Congress Committee on 08 August which paved way for a mass movement to attain independence. As Quit India Movement was launched in month of August, it is also known as August Movement or August Kranti.

On 8th August 1942, as a precursor to India’s independence, Quit India Movement was launched at Mumbai’s historic Gowalia Tank Maidan, now popularly known as August Kranti Maidan. Also Gandhiji gave the call to Do or Die in his Quit India speech delivered at Gowalia Tank Maida, which inspired thousands of party workers but also created a frenzy among British who rushed to imprison entire Congress leadership.

Only then Gandhiji was imprisoned at Aga Khan Palace in Pune and almost all leaders were arrested. In such a situation, young leader Aruna Asif Ali hoisted Quit India movement by hoisting tricolor at Gwalia Tank Ground in Mumbai on 9 August.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2019