Discuss in breif the role play by thep people of assam in quiet india india movement
Answers
The Quit India Movement was the definitive freedom movement of India’s Independence Struggle. What made matters worse for the British was that this was during the heights of Second World War (1939–1945). Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic “Do-or-Die” slogan echoed in every Indian’s heart and mind. The arrest of Gandhi was met by violent protests, attacks on British Imperial buildings, courts, post-offices and such other establishments.
In Assam too, prominent Congress leaders such as Gopinath Bordoloi, Md. Tayebullah, Siddhinath Sarma were arrested within days of the AICC resolution adopting the movement. Sattradhikar Pitambar Deva Goswami of Garmur Satra, Majuli was also arrested. The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, Santi Sena and other outfits were declared unlawful by the British. Muslim League had boycotted the Movement, and the British resorting to communal appeasement once again on August 25, 1942 invited S.M. Sadullah to form the Government in Assam after President’s rule was lifted.
A Non-Congress Government could not deter the spirit of the protesters. Violent protests including snapping of railway lines occurred in Kamrup, Nagaon, Darrang, Sibsagar, Golaghat. In Barpeta houses of loyalists officers were destroyed.
Major Deaths -
Kushal Konwar was hanged on the 15th of June, 1943 due to his alleged involvement in the Sarupathar (Golaghat) train derailment (9th October 1942). He is the only martyr to be hanged during the Quit India Movement.
Lakhikanta Hazarika, Thogiram Sut, Boloram Sut and Bhogeshwari Phukanani were killed in police firing in Barhampur (Nagaon) on 18th September, 1942 when they were clebrating recapturing of a Santi-Sena camp by holding a publci meeting.
Kanaklata Barua, a teenage girl along with Mukunta Kakati and Hemkanta Barua were martyred during a march towards hoisting the Congress Flag from Chaiduar to Gohpur Police Station (in Sonitpur). Kanaklata died on the spot and Mukunda Kakati and Hemkanta Barua succumbed to their injuries.
Kolai Koch, Hemoram Borah and others - Bebejia (Nagaon), August 1942
Hemoram Pator, Gunabhiram Bordoloi and others - Jungal Balahugarh (Nagaon), August 1942
Kohuli Devi, Kumali Devi, Tileshwari Barua and Jaluki Kachariani - Dhekiajuli (Sonitpur)
Underground leaders and local cells were carrying out much of the work during the Movement due to the unprecedented arrests of top Congress leaders. Leaders like Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Mahendra Nath Hazarika, Sankar Prasad Barua, Lakshmi Prasad Goswami and others played the constructive roles. Outfits such as Ahimsa Biplavi Sangha (Barpeta), Karma Parishad (Bajali), Mrityu Bahini (Nagaon) are worth mentioning.
Highlights of the Movement in Assam -
The top Congress brass including Mahatma Gandhi were arrested within days of the AICC resolution. Same was the case in Assam. This however did not dampen the spirits and the will of the young and the old protesters alike. Despite solid leadership and a flurry of acts of violence both by the administration and the protesters, the movement was a grand success.
For the first time the role of Assam in the Independence movement came to the fore. Students took the lead role in the protests which motivated the elderly to also take a proactive role in the protests.
Women were the backbone of this movement. Iconic personalities like Aruna Asaf Ali, Matangini Hazra, Sucheta Kripalani took centre stage during the movement. Assam also had its own share of women heroes. the brave-heart Kanaklata Baruah, Puspalata Das, Kamala Miri, Ratnabala Phukan, Buddheswari Hazarika, Damayanti Bora, Bhogeswsari Phukanani etc. who were mostly members of the Mrityu Bahini or Santi-Sena.