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Quit India Movement:

• After the failure of Cripps Mission, Gandhiji started Quit India Movement in
August, 1948 from Bombay. Immediately, Gandhiji and other senior leaders were
arrested, but younger activists organised strikes and acts of sabotage all over the
country.
• Quit India Movement being a Mass Movement brought into its ambit hundreds of
thousand of ordinary citizens and youths left their colleges and went to jail. During
this time as Congress leaders were in jail, Jinnah and other Muslim league leaders
worked patiently to extend its influence in Punjab and Sind where it had scarcely
any presence.
• In June, 1944 Gandhiji was released from prison, later he held series of meeting
with Jinnah to sort out the differences.
• In 1945, labour government came to power in England and committed itself to
grant Independence to India. In India, Lord Wavell organised meetings with
Congress and league. In elections of 1946, polarization was completely observed
when Congress swept general category but seats reserved for Muslims. These
seats were won by the Muslim League by overwhelming majority.
• In 1946, Cabinet Mission came but it failed in getting Congress and the Muslim
League agreed on federal system which would have kept India united and
autonomy would have been granted to provinces to a certain extent.
• After failing of talks Jinnah called for direct action day to press demand for
Pakistan. On 16th August, 1946, riots broke out in Calcutta, later spread to other
parts of Bengal, then to Bihar, United Provinces and Punjab. In riots both the
communities suffered.
• In February 1947, Viceroy Lord Mountbatten replaced Wavell. He called for one
last round of talk and when talks were inconclusive he announced India would be
freed and it will be divided. Finally on 15th August, 1947, power was transferred to
India.

The Last Heroic Days of Mahatma Gandhi:

• Gandhiji marked the day of Independence with a 24 hour fast. The freedom
struggle ended with division of country and Hindus and Muslims seeking each
others life.
• In the months of September and October Gandhiji went around hospitals and
refugee camps giving consolation to people. He appealed to Sikhs, the Hindus
and Muslims to forget the past and to extend the hand of friendship, cooperation
and peace.
• At the backing of Gandhiji and Nehru, Congress passed resolution on the right of
minorities. It further said party had never accepted partition but it has been forced
on it.
• Congress said India will be a democratic secular country, every citizen will be
equal. Congress tried to assure the minorities in India that their rights will be
protected in India.