NEW DELHI:  Tushar Gandhi, the distinguished descendant of Mahatma Gandhi, found himself in a moment of detainment as he embarked from his residence to honor the significance of Quit India Day on the 9th of August. Expressing his sentiments on Twitter, Gandhi shared that for the very first instance within the annals of Independent India, he was held in custody at Santa Cruz Police Station. His purpose: to partake in commemorating the momentous 9th August Quit India Day. He asserted his pride in this action, drawing a poignant connection to his great grandparents, Bapu and Ba, who had been similarly apprehended by the British Police on this historic date.

The Quit India Movement, known by the resonant alias of the August Movement, stands as a pivotal juncture in India's fervent quest for liberation. The year 2023 heralds the 81st anniversary of this profound movement, a steadfast reminder of the indomitable spirit that marked the journey to India's sovereignty. It is on the 9th of August that the nation collectively pays homage to the sacrifices woven into the tapestry of its battle for emancipation.

The roots of the Quit India Movement, also christened the 'Bharat Chodo Andolan', 'August Movement', or 'August Kranti', trace back to the fateful day of August 9, 1942, a date etched in history during the throes of World War II. Guided by the vision of Mahatma Gandhi and steered by the Indian National Congress (INC), this movement epitomized the ceaseless endeavor to break the shackles of British dominion. The epicenter of this movement was the hallowed grounds of Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, which we now know as Mumbai. It was here that Gandhi's resounding call for the British to relinquish their grasp on India reverberated, encapsulated in the clarion phrase, "Do or Die." The echoes of this rallying cry found resonance among myriad individuals. Nonetheless, the British authorities were swift in their counteraction, apprehending leaders and activists while orchestrating sweeping raids on Congress offices spanning the length and breadth of the nation.

In the course of this movement, approximately 100,000 individuals found themselves ensnared in the clutches of arrest, subjected to prolonged detentions. The toll was heavy, with casualties numbering around 1,000 and the ranks of the injured surpassing 2,500. The British machinery of oppression was intent on quashing the rising tide of dissent, employing tactics such as the incarceration of influential figures like Gandhi and Nehru. These measures, marked by incarcerations and loss of life, notwithstanding, the Quit India Movement etched an indelible mark on India's trajectory toward liberation from British subjugation.

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