8 August: Quit India Movement Day

The Quit India Movement also known as the Bharat ‘Chhodo Andolan’ was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942 at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
The movement demanded an end to British rule in India. Since the protest was held in August, it also went on to be known as August Kranti or August Movement.
Every year, the day is celebrated by paying tribute to freedom fighters who laid their lives for the country.
Gandhi delivered his speech, which commenced the Quit India Movement, at Mumbai’s Gowalia Tank Maidan, popularly known as August Kranti Maidan. The ‘Do or Die’ speech was etched in the hearts of Indians.
The immediate cause of the movement was the collapse of Cripps Mission that was to discuss the British Government’s Draft Declaration on the Constitution of India with representative Indian leaders. The Cripps Mission failed and the issue of India’s constitution was postponed until the end of the war.