August 8 celebrated as Quit India Movement Day-Puri
Jaswant Singh Puri/ August 8,2025
Quit India Movement Day is observed on August 8 to mark the launch of the Quit India Movement of 1942. It was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi which demanded the end of the British Rule in India. Gandhi gave a clarion call to “Do or Die” in his Quit India speech. The anticipated theme for the Quit India Movement 2025 is “National Unity, Democracy and Civil Courage.” It was a call that resonated a spark to change the nation’s destiny. It was a decisive chapter in India’s struggle for independence. It united the people from various walks of life in the collective struggle for freedom. It was a decisive push that accelerated the oust of colonial masters.
The slogan “Do or Die” propagated the spirit of sacrifice and potent resolution for Indian independence. This call to action responded deeply with the masses. The Movement fostered a strong sense of nationalism among Indians. The movement’s intensity took the British Government by surprise. Besides Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and other leaders played crucial roles in organising the movement. The movement intensified the demand for freedom and exposed the British rule. I remember an important quote: “The power of the people is stronger than the people in power.” The movement is also called ‘August Movement’ or ‘August Kranti’
In an exclusive interview with Jaswant Singh Puri, Vinod Kohli, Veteran Journalist, National President, Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and Former Member Press Council of India told “The Quit India Movement was a mass protest launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942 for the independence of India. Endless efforts of Mahatma Gandhi and others like Bharat Ratna Aruna Asaf Ali and the adopted daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Bibi Amtus Salam played a key role in the freedom struggle movement”.
In an exclusive interview with Jaswant Singh Puri, Dr Sandeep Kaur, Head, Department of History and Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University Patiala told “The Quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942 that aimed to end British rule in India. It was a mass movement organised during 1942–43. Endless efforts of Mahatma Gandhi and others like Bharat Ratna Aruna Asaf Ali and the adopted daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Bibi Amtus Salam would always be remembered as they had played an important role in the freedom struggle of India. Indian people are indebted to all those who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of country.
Bibi Amatus Salam was a freedom fighter who believed that freedom from British rule could be achieved only through Gandhian methods. She was born in Patiala of Punjab. In 1932, despite her ill-health, she along with other women freedom fighters was active in the Indian National Movement and was jailed. On being released from jail, she took up the responsibility of working as the Personal Assistant of Mahatma Gandhi and toured riot hit areas to ensure harmony between Hindus and Muslims.
She was with Mahatma Gandhi in Noakhali in 1946 when the worst riots took place in Bengal. She ran an Urdu magazine called ‘Hindustan’ promoting national integration and communal harmony. Following the partition, Bibi established the Kasturba Seva Mandir and other institutions in Rajpura to rehabilitate the refugees. She expired on September 29,1985.
Bibi Amtus Salam was the adopted daughter, devotee and follower of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr Ajit Singh Puri, father of the author, was her personal physician and also looked after her ailing workers in Kasturba Gandhi Sewa Mandir, Rajpura, Punjab.
Note: The views expressed by the writer are personal.
