“MAHATMA GANDHI’S ‘QUIT INDIA’ SPEECH (1942)

Project: Reading the Primary Source (Construction of Evidence)

Course: History II

Submitted to: Professor Hota Agni Kumar

Submitted By: Aryan Garg

Roll No.: 2019 – 5LLB - 11

II Year IV Semester
 INTRODUCTION

“Reconstruction of historical evidence” is a tool through which the social realities could be studied
and analysed through a different lens. This exercise does not only help in understand the structures
of a society from an external standpoint, but also help us extrapolate the changes in the current
structures in the society in different phases.

When we are looking at these sources of history through literature, we tend to enjoy the benefit of
reconstructing various societal realities from the lens of the authors of books, journals,
commentaries, drama, epics, newsletters etc. which mirror different aspects of social, political,
cultural, and economic conditions of their era.

During the phase of colonial consolidation of British power in India, there were various primary
sources that were used to gather information and data in order to study the imperial power in the
county. These sources are not only confined to the legislation, documents, or letters by the
colonialists, but the thought, writings, speech of the freedom fighters. These speeches, writings etc.
pave the way to look at their modes of gathering people to fight against the Britishers. These also
helped them to ideologically influence the masses to think together and therefore unite with other.

One of the most well-known freedom fighters was Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi (popularly
known as Mahatma). Gandhi was a mass-leader for India’s independence movement against the rule
of the Britishers, which the Britishers were reluctant to grant for a long time. Not only was
Gandhi’s role essential in the release of British rule in the country, but also in the inculcation of
non-violent civil disobedience that encouraged movements by the masses for their civil rights and
freedoms across the world.

Several people across the chose, at that time, and still chooses and revere Gandhi’s ideology and
beliefs pertaining to human rights and political freedom. Since the time he delivered his famous
“Quit India” speech, Gandhi has been an inspiration for the people of all age groups in plethora of
activities including, but not limited to mass movements (relating to religious, political, and social
reasons) and protests. One of those people who was inspired from his work was Martin Luther King
Jr. who fought for equality of the whites and the blacks in the United States of America. Gandhi
therefore offers hope, will, and vision for the people to follow which would indeed lead to its
betterment.
The present analysis will look at his speech from various angles viz. occasion, audience, speaker,
style, tone, evidence, narrative details, among other things.

ANALYSIS OF THE SPEECH

(a) Gandhi’s belief towards non-violence and political freedom

Gandhi was vociferous and passionate when he talked about the values that he wished a nation must
possess. These values include non-violence, human rights, political freedom & personal freedom
which he commanded with his tone effectively and passionately. In his speech in Bombay (modern-
day Mumbai), he spoke,

“In the democracy that I have visioned, a democracy formed by non-violence, there will be equality
and freedom for all. Everyone would be their own master. It is to be a part of struggle for such
democracy that I invite you today.”

Throughout his time, Gandhi is viewed by the people as a man of trust and also as a highly educated
person. Through his polemical and trustworthy words, he could encourage the people of the country
to come together and fight for independence.

(b) Secular ideology and politics

The speech “Quit India” was delivered by Mahatma Gandhi on the 8th August, 1942 at Bombay
(present day Mumbai) to the All-India Congress Committee (AICC). AICC is essentially the core
decision making assembly of the INC (Indian National Congress) Party. However, Gandhi’s plan
was not just restricted to targeting the AICC, he selected to target his followers, the majority of
which comprised of the Hindus and the Muslims. Gandhi tried to inculcate in the minds of the
majority religions that they should set aside their differences and should consider themselves as
Indian first and then Muslims or Hindus. Gandhi substantiated this idea by quoting,

“…think of yourselves as Indians only, engaged in the common struggle for independence.”

The people of both the religions understood the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi as their religious
values and core beliefs were connected to Gandhi’s philosophy. Gandhi’s continuous use of the
term “Ahimsa” (which essentially means respect for all humans, living and non-living things and
avoiding violence between the people) along with the use of the “God” signified that he was not
focusing on a single religion, which both the Hindus and the Muslims could relate to.
(c) End of Imperialism and Domino Effect

The AICC was going to vote either in favour of or against the “Quit India Movement.” One of the
important goals of Mahatma Gandhi was to persuade the Committee to support the movement and
vote for it. India was ruled by the Britishers and Gandhi believed that the movement could end the
rule and make the country independent. He wanted the masses to understand his point of view,
which is the subject at matter. To add emphasis, he quoted’

“I want you to understand two things clearly and to consider it from my point of view.”

Gandhi tried to make people understand by predicting the future of India along with the future of
other colonised nations by associating democracy with the concepts of dictatorship and imperialism
exercised by the Britishers. Additionally, he follows the idea of ‘Domino Effect’ that came from the
famous ‘Vietnamese War’ and the ‘Communist Ideology.’ He inculcated the sense of problem
against imperialism and not the British.

“this hatred (which the population of the country had against the British) would even make them
welcome the Japanese which would be more dangerous for the people of our country. It essentially
implies that one slavery will be exchanged for other.”

This situation was introduced to focus the attention of the people of India against the dangerous
ideas of imperialism. Gandhi meant that the hatred for the Britishers is not the point of concern. In
place of the Britishers, even if the people were ruled by the Japanese, the outcome would have been
the same. He therefore tried to control the obsession of the countrymen for the British and induced
in them the idea of remorse, pain, guilt, responsibility, and freedom. This in turn triggered the
population to support Gandhi in his quest to eradicate the Britishers and British imperialism for the
independence of the country.

(d) Gandhi’s rhetorics

Gandhi is unassailable with the use of his ethos coupled with his repetitions and religious
connotations. Using these ornaments in his speech, Gandhi showcases himself as being a religious
and calm person for the entirety of his speech. At the tarting of his speech, Gandhi states that,
“God has vouchsafed to me a priceless gift in the weapon of Ahimsa (non-violence). Ahimsa and I
are on the trail today. If in the present crisis, when the Earth is scotched in the flames of Himsa (to
injure or harm, an opposite of the term Ahimsa) and crying for deliverance, I failed to make the use
of the God given talent, God shall not forgive me and I shall be judged un-wrongly of the great
gift.”

He does not only depict himself as the messiah (messenger) of God, but also inculcates a sense of
responsibility among the listeners to come forward and fight for the cause in the name of the God if
he fails. This religious connotation is used in countless speeches to appeal for a cause in front of the
Indian population. By stating his obligation to justify himself as being the messenger of “God,” he
tries to gain the support of the audience that they are required to fulfill the goal that Gandhi is after.
Furthermore, Gandhi tries to maintain an unbiased look of the situation that the people are
following by showing no hatred towards the colonizers, but at the same time attacking the
imperialist ideology.

“We must, therefore, purge ourself of hatred…As a matter of fact, I consider myself to be a greater
friend of the British than ever before. My friendship, therefore, demands that I should try to save
them from their mistakes.”

Gandhi is therefore trying to inculcate a sense of sympathy towards the population of the country
but also the British people, which in a way creates a feeling of selflessness among the masses for
himself.

(e) Gandhi’s use of emotions

Throughout his speech, Gandhi does strictly share some hard facts and opinions, such as his prime
belief in the conception of Ahimsa (or non-violence). He inculcates emotion in the mind of his
audience through the use of cordial yet harsh diction in addition to his expertise in metaphor and
imagery usage. Gandhi believes that a combination of hope along with fear can make people work
congruently. At the very starting of his speech, Gandhi depicts the planet filled with chaos,
violence, and selfishness by stating’

“In the present crisis, when the Earth is scorched by the flames of Himsa and crying out of
deliverance.”

The use of the ornament in his speech (imagery) portrays the main idea to the masses listening him
to stop their journey leading them to the path of violence, death, poverty, ruination and nothing else.
Additionally, while he used the words such as flames, deliverance, and Himsa (which are all the
words depicting a negative connotation), he was very open in stating the meaning and the costs
associated with the same in the real life.

Also, Gandhi’s tone is plain, with the words used as minimal as possible, to convey the best and the
easiest meaning to the people. He is very straight forward and does not twist his tongue to take a
neutral stance. He stated that:

“Ours is not a drive for power, but purely a non-violent fight for India’s independence.”

If Gandhi would have exaggerated his use of words or his statements and his overall idea of non-
violence.
 CONCLUSION

India being under the rule of the Britishers is where Gandhi built and developed his overall
philosophy of non-violence and Gandhian politics. This indeed motivated him to write speeches and
seek popular support of the masses to strengthen his philosophy for the independence of the nation.
The speech further helped him in making the people understand the real problem of imperialism and
not Britishers, and it can be removed by independence only.

Through the use of Gandhi’s knowledge, views, syntax, and belief., he was able to gather a large
crowd and convey his message to not only focus on the issue of imperialism, but also on the unity
of the two major religions, Hindus and Muslims. Ideally, the words and slogans of Gandhi still lives
in the heart of people, whether it is for the movement of LGBTQ rights, women equality, or
religious freedoms of the people. Gandhi’s ideology (which is spread through his speeches as well)
is now taught in major universities across the globe.