Indian Freedom Movement (1942–45)

Indian Freedom Movement (1942–45)

The Cripps Mission (March–April 1942)

In 1942, the British Government realized that it could not ignore the Indian problems anymore. As a result of the World War, the situation worsened for the British with Jthe apanese advance towards the Indian borders.

By March 7, 1942, Rangoon fell and Japan occupied the entire South-East Asia. The British government, with a view to getting cooperation from Indians, sent Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the British cabinet, to India to settle terms with Indian leaders who were forthwith released.

Cripps proposed Dominion Status after the war, but his proposal was rejected by all the political leaders. As no party agreed to accept these proposals, the Cripps Mission ended in failure.

Regarding the Cripps Mission proposals, Mahatma Gandhi remarked: "A post-dated cheque on a crumbling bank."

Quit India Movement (1942)

• On Aug. 8, 1942, the Congress in its meeting at Gowaliya Tank, Bombay passed a resolution known as the 'Quit India' resolution, whereby Gandhiji asked the British to quit India and gave a call for "Do or die" (We shall either free India or die in the attempt) to his countrymen.

• On Aug. 9, 1942, all the prominent leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, etc., were arrested, but the rest (J.P., Lohiya, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta) continued the revolutionary struggle.

• Violence spread throughout the country, several government offices were destroyed, telegraph wires were cut, and communication was paralyzed.

Parallel Governments Established:

• Ballia, U.P. (by Chittu Pandey) – First parallel government

• Tamluk, Midnapur District, Bengal (by Satis Samant)

• Satara, Maharashtra (by Y. B. Chavan and Nana Patil) – Longest parallel government

• Talcher, Orissa

The movement was, however, crushed by the government.

Note: The "Quit India" term was coined by Yusuf Meherally, a companion of Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhiji's Fast (Feb. 10 – March 7, 1943)

• Gandhiji undertook a 21-day fast in jail.

• His condition deteriorated after 13 days, and all hopes of his survival were given up.

• However, as a result of his moral strength and spiritual stamina, he survived and completed the 21-day fast.

• This was his answer to the government, which had been constantly exhorting him to condemn the violence of the people in the Quit India Movement.

• Gandhi refused to condemn people resorting to violence and held the government responsible for it.

C.R. Formula (1944)

• In 1944, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (C.R.) proposed to appoint a commission to demarcate the districts in North-West and East where Muslims were in the majority.

• In such areas, a plebiscite was proposed to be held based on adult suffrage to decide the issue of separation.

• They would be given freedom if they favoured a sovereign state.

• In case of acceptance of partition, an agreement was to be made jointly for safeguarding defence, commerce, communications, etc.

• Muslim League was to endorse Congress's demand for independence and cooperate in the formation of a provisional government.

• Jinnah objected, as he wanted Congress to accept the two-nation theory and wanted only Muslims of the North-West and East of India to vote in the plebiscite.

• Hindu Leaders, led by V.D. Savarkar, condemned the plan.

Wavell Plan and Shimla Conference (June 14 – July 14, 1945)

• The war situation in Europe improved in early 1945.

• India's goodwill was needed as the war against Japan was expected to last for about two more years.

• The situation within the country was worsening due to economic crisis and famine.

• The British Government was compelled to offer a plan.

• After consultations, Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India, issued a statement known as the Wavell Plan.

Main Proposals of the Wavell Plan:

• Changes in the structure of the Viceroy's Executive Council

• Equal representation to Muslims and Hindus

Soon after the Wavell Plan, Congress Working Committee members were released from jail. A conference of 22 Indian leaders was held at Shimla to discuss the Wavell Plan.

The conference failed due to Jinnah’s demand that only Muslim League-approved Muslims be included in the Executive Council.
Communism again became a stumbling block. For the British, this division between Congress and the Muslim League was a source of relief.

INA Trial (Nov. 1945)

• P. K. Sehgal, Shah Nawaz Khan, and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon were put on trial at the Red Fort in November 1945.

• Despite Congress's efforts, the trial led to their conviction on the charge of waging war against the King Emperor.

• However, Indian public opinion opposed the sentence, and the British Government suspended the sentences.

• Disaffection spread among Indian soldiers.

INA Defence Advocates:

• Bhulabhai Desai – Chief Defence Advocate

• Tej Bahadur Sapru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Asaf Ali, Md. Ali Jinnah

Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army – INA)

The Japanese, after defeating the British in South-East Asia, took many Indian soldiers as prisoners of war.

In March 1942, at a conference in Tokyo, Indians formed the India Independence League.

Key Events:

• Bangkok Conference (June 1942): Ras Bihari Bose elected President

• INA was formed by Ras Bihari Bose in 1942

• Reorganized by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1943

Bose escaped to Berlin in 1941, set up the Indian League, and joined the INA in July 1943 at Singapore, where Ras Bihari Bose handed him leadership.

Provisional Government of Free India:

• Formed by Subhas Chandra Bose on Oct. 21, 1943, in Singapore

INA Structure:

• 3 brigades named after Subhas, Gandhi, and Nehru

• Rani Jhansi Brigade – exclusive women’s force

With Japan’s defeat in 1945, the INA collapsed.

Bose is said to have died in an air crash over Taipei, Taiwan, on Aug. 18, 1945.

Final Thoughts

The period from 1942 to 1945 was a defining chapter in India’s struggle for independence. The Cripps Mission’s failure, followed by the massive Quit India Movement, revealed the widening gap between British intentions and Indian aspirations. Gandhiji’s fast, C.R.

The formula and the Wavell Plan further highlighted the deep political divides, especially over communal representation. The INA trials and the heroism of Subhas Chandra Bose ignited nationalist fervor across the nation, even within the armed forces.

Despite setbacks, these events collectively intensified the momentum for freedom. The British realized that ruling India against the will of its people was no longer feasible. This era laid the groundwork for India’s final push toward complete independence in 1947.