March To Freedom: Indian Press and Public Opinion Towards Indian Independence in Madras Presidency 1942-1947

Abstract

Gandhi had come to the decision, that genuine entity was unimaginable until British power was withdrawn. He steadfastly believed that the British would not be in a position to repel a Japanese aggression of India. He was also dubious with regard to the Allies ultimate victory in the West. Gandhi was not the author of the term 'Quit India' but his equivalent phrase was 'orderly and timely British withdrawal'. He had expounded the implications of 'Quit India' in his paper the Harijan. 'Quit India' meant the end of foreign rule and domination. It did not mean the destruction of foreigners’ but their willing conversion to Indian life. The Indian press and public opinion were chiefly mobilized for the nation’s march to freedom. Its main focus was on Quit India Movement and started mobilizing the public opinion in favour of Indian Independence. Writings of the Indian Press of the period from 1942-1947 were on 'C.R. Formula', 'Japanese Menace', 'Gandhi-Viceroy Correspondence', 'Fast unto death of Gandhi', 'World War Strategy', 'Indian Question in British Parliament', 'Gandhi’s Letter to M.A.Jinnah', 'Hug-Herbert issue', 'The Starvation in India', 'The Diravida Nadu', 'The Cabinet Mission', 'Interin Government', 'Hindu-Muslim Unity', 'Hindu-Muslim Peace Talks', and 'Towards Independence'. The majority of papers wrote articles in favour of Indian Independence and the celebration of Independence Day on 15th August 1947. The writings of the Indian Press on the whole were pro-Independence in character in general and Gandhi in particular.