Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday remembered those who participated in the historic Quit India Movement, saying their courage and determination would continue to inspire every Indian.
August 9, 2026, marks the 84th anniversary of the movement, which was launched under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 and became a defining chapter in India's struggle for independence.
“Remembering all those who participated in the historic Quit India Movement. Their courage will always remain an inspiration for every Indian,” Modi said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister said the movement's clarion call infused new energy into the freedom struggle and reflected the unwavering determination of Indians to break free from colonial rule.
The Quit India Movement was formally launched after the All India Congress Committee passed the Quit India resolution in Bombay on August 8, 1942. The following day, Gandhi gave his historic call of “Do or Die”, urging Indians to intensify the campaign for independence.
The British government moved swiftly to suppress the movement. Gandhi, along with several other senior Congress leaders, was arrested soon after the campaign began. Despite the arrests and a crackdown by the colonial administration, protests and demonstrations spread across several parts of the country.
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The movement also saw participation from students, workers, farmers and ordinary citizens, making it one of the largest mass mobilisations of India's freedom struggle. Strikes, demonstrations and acts of resistance were reported across the country, while underground networks continued to organise activities after the arrest of prominent leaders.
Although the British authorities managed to suppress the immediate uprising through arrests and force, the movement marked a significant shift in the freedom struggle. It demonstrated the growing demand for complete independence and put further pressure on the colonial administration.
The Quit India Movement came at a critical point during World War II, when Britain was facing major military challenges. The Congress leadership had opposed India's automatic involvement in the war without consultation with Indian representatives and demanded an immediate end to British rule.
The movement is remembered every year on August 9, with political leaders paying tribute to those who participated in the struggle and highlighting their sacrifices.
Modi's remarks on Sunday also underlined the continuing significance of the movement in India's national memory. He said the courage displayed by those who took part in the campaign remains an inspiration for citizens.
The 84th anniversary is being observed as India reflects on the events of 1942 and the role played by millions of Indians in the country's long struggle to end colonial rule.
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