Page "Vallabhbhai Patel" Paragraph 18

While Nehru, Rajagopalachari and Maulana Azad initially criticised Gandhi's proposal for an all-out campaign of civil disobedience to force the British to Quit India, Patel was its most fervent supporter.

Arguing that the British would retreat from India as they had from Singapore and Burma, Patel stressed that the campaign start without any delay.

Though feeling that the British would not quit immediately, Patel favoured an all-out rebellion which would galvanise Indian people, who had been divided in their response to the war, In Patel's view, an all-out rebellion would force the British to concede that continuation of colonial rule had no support in India, and thus speed power transfer to Indians.

Believing strongly in the need for revolt, Patel stated his intention to resign from the Congress if the revolt was not approved.

Gandhi strongly pressured the All India Congress Committee to approve of an all-out campaign of civil disobedience, and the AICC approved the campaign on 7 August 1942.

Though Patel's health had suffered during his stint in jail, Patel gave emotional speeches to large crowds across India, asking people to refuse paying taxes and participate in civil disobedience, mass protests and a shutdown of all civil services.

He raised funds and prepared a second-tier of command as a precaution against the arrest of national leaders.

Patel made a climactic speech to more than 100, 000 people gathered at Gowalia Tank in Bombay ( Mumbai ) on 7 August: