Unsung hero Subash Chandra Bose - Page 2

SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE

While Gandhi /Nehru Congress has garnered much of the credit for India's freedom struggle, it is important to remember that India's freedom movement was in fact, a movement of the masses and there were a number of great leaders with fierce patriotism, great visionary ideas and sacrificed their entire life for the nation's cause. We continue our series on the freedom fighters on the occasion of Netaji's 102nd birthday.

-Jyotsna Kamat

January 26, 1999

India's Republic Day

Subhas Chandra Bose

Known as Netaji (leader), Mr. Bose was a fierce and popular leader of pre- independence Indian political scene. He was the president of the Indian National Congress in 1937 and 1939, founded a nationalist force called the Indian National Army. He is acclaimed as a semi-god or akin to the many mythological heroes like Rama or Krishna and continues as a legend in Indian mind. Subhas Chandra was born on January 23rd 1897 in Cuttack (in present day Orissa), as a ninth child among fourteen of Janakinath Bose, an advocate and Prabhavati Devi, a pious and God-fearing lady. A brilliant student, he topped the matriculation examination of Calcutta province and passed his B.A. on Philosophy from the Scottish Churches' College in Calcutta. He was strongly influenced by Swami Vivekananda's teachings and was known for his patriotic zeal as a student. His parents' wishes kept him away from the Indian freedom struggle and in to the studies for the Indian Civil Service in England. Although he finished those examinations near the top of his class (4th), he could no longer complete his apprenticeship and returned to India, being deeply disturbed by the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre. He came under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the Indian National Congress (a.k.a. Congress). Gandhiji directed him to work with Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, the Bengali leader whom Bose acknowledged as his political guru. Had he lived, Subhas Chandra Bose could have given a new turn to Independent India's political history. But he lives eternally in Indian mind, more famous after his death. Bose was outspoken in his anti-British stance and was jailed 11 (eleven) times between 1920 and 1941 for periods varying between six months and three years. He was leader of the youth wing of Congress, in the forefront of the trade union movement in India and organized Service League, another wing of Congress. He was admired for his great organizational development skills.

The Influence of Bose

He advocated complete freedom for India at the earliest, whereas the Congress Committee wanted it in phases through a Dominion Status. Other younger leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru supported Bose and finally at the historic Lahore Congress convention, the Congress had to adopt Poorna Swaraj (complete freedom) as its motto. Bhagat Singh's martyrdom and the inability of the Congress leaders to save his life infuriated Bose and he started a movement opposing the Gandhi-Irvin peace pact. He was imprisoned and expelled from India. But defying the ban, he came back to India and was imprisoned again! Clouds of World War II were gathering fast and Bose had warned the Indian people and the British against dragging India into the war and the material losses she could incur. He was elected president of the Indian National Congress twice in 1937 and in 1939, the second time defeating Gandhiji's nominee. He brought a resolution to bring six month's time to British hand over India to the Indians, failing which there will be a revolt. There was much opposition to his rigid stand, and he resigned to the post of president and formed a progressive group known as the Forward Block (1939). The second World War broke out in September of 1939 and just as predicted by Bose, India was declared as a warring state (on behalf of British) by the Governor General, without consulting the Indian leaders. Congress party was in power in seven major states and all state governments resigned in protest. Subhas Chandra Bose, now started a mass movement against utilizing Indian resources and mess for the great war. To him, it made no sense to further bleed the poor Indians for the sake of colonial and imperial nations. There was a tremendous response to his call and the British promptly imprisoned him.

He took to a hunger-strike, and after his health deteriorated on the 11th day of his fast, he was freed and was kept under house arrest. The British were afraid of violent reactions in India, should something happen to Bose in prison.

The Mystery Begins...

Bose suddenly disappeared in the beginning of 1941 and it was not until many days that authorities realized Bose was not inside the house they were guarding! He traveled by foot, car and train and resurfaced in Kabul (now in Afghanistan), only to disappear once again. In November 1941, his broadcast from German radio sent shock waves among British and electrified the Indian masses that their leader was working on a master plan to free their motherland. It also gave fresh confidence to the revolutionaries in India who were challenging the British in many ways. The Axis powers (mainly Germany) assured Bose military and other help to fight the British. Japan by this time had grown into another strong world power, occupying key colonies of Dutch, Fresh and the British in Asia. Bose had struck alliance with Germany and Japan. He rightly felt that his presence in the East will help his countrymen in freedom struggle and second phase of his saga began. It is told that he was last seen on land near Kiel canal in Germany, in the beginning of 1943. A most hazardous journey was undertaken by him under water, covering thousands of miles, crossing enemy territories. He was in Atlantic, Middle East, Madagascar and Indian ocean. Battles were being fought over land, in the air and there were mines in the sea. At one stage, he traveled 4000 miles in a German submarine to reach a Japanese submarine, which took him to Tokyo. He was warmly welcomes in Japan and was declared the head of an Indian army consisting of 40,000 soldiers from Singapore and other eastern regions. Bose called it the Indian National Army (INA) and a government by name Azad Hind Government was declared on 21st of October 1943. The INA freed the Andaman and Nicobar islands from British and these were renamed as Swaraj and Shaheed islands. The Government started functioning.

Early Success and Tragic End

Bose wanted to free Indian from the Eastern front. He had taken care that Japanese interference was not there from any angle. Army leadership, administration and communications were managed by the Indians only. Subhash Brigade, Azad Brigade and Gandhi Brigade were formed. The INA marched through Burma and occupied Kohima and Coxtown on Indian Border. There was a touching scene when the solders entered the 'free' motherland. Some lied down and kissed, some kept the mother earth on their heads, others wept. They were now into India and determined to drive out the British! Delhi Chalo (Let's march to Delhi) was the war cry. Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki changed the history of mankind. Japan had to surrender. Bose was in Singapore at that time and decided to go to Tokyo for the next course of action. Unfortunately, the plane he boarded crashed near Taipei and he died in the hospital of severe burns. He was just 48. The Indian people were so much enamored of Bose's oratory, leadership qualities, fearlessness and mysterious adventures that he had become a legend. They refused to believe that he died in the plane crash. The famous Red Fort trial wherein Bose's generals and the INA officers were tried, became a landmark. Initially, the British Government thought of a court martial, but there was a countrywide protest against any kind of punishment. For common Indians, Axis and Allied powers hardly mattered, but they could not tolerate punishment of fellow countrymen for fighting for freedom. The British Government was in no position to face open rebellion or mutiny and a general amnesty for INA soldiers was declared. While Bose's approach to Indian freedom continue to generate heated debates in the Indian society today, there is no denying of his burning patriotism, his tireless efforts to free India form inside and outside and his reckless adventures to reach his goals. His exploits later became a legend due to the many true stories carried by the disbanded INA soldiers who came from every nook and corner of our great country. Had he lived, Subhas Chandra Bose could have given a new turn to Independent India's political history. But he lives eternally in Indian mind, more famous after his death.

http://www.netajicenter.org/jyotsna1.htm

if some people had their way, they'd have written off gandhiji, bhagat singh and the others too. but in a sense, their cause outlived them. we still have the gandhi peaceniks all over te world, the bhagat singh-inspired patriots today.

problem with netaji was that he aligned himself with the japanese, sort of making a pact with the devil. like many others, i idololize his personal bravery and his zeal for our country, but once he died, there wasnt much of a legacy that he left behind, at least a legacy that the govt could hold up. he "lost" in that sense.

incidentally, it was not just the nazis who were perpetrators of egregious crimes. it was the japanase too. the term water torture originated with the japs i think.

Originally posted by: chatbuster

if some people had their way, they'd have written off gandhiji, bhagat singh and the others too. but in a sense, their cause outlived them. we still have the gandhi peaceniks all over te world, the bhagat singh-inspired patriots today.

problem with netaji was that he aligned himself with the japanese, sort of making a pact with the devil. like many others, i idololize his personal bravery and his zeal for our country, but once he died, there wasnt much of a legacy that he left behind, at least a legacy that the govt could hold up. he "lost" in that sense.

incidentally, it was not just the nazis who were perpetrators of egregious crimes. it was the japanase too. the term water torture originated with the japs i think.

I applaud him for the vision he had...for his efforts of uniting indians inside and outside of india. strategy might have some flaws but his heart was in the right place. based on their ideologies, naram dal found faults with garam dal's strategy of attaining freedom but that doesn't make them wrong or the other right. those were some turbulent times. all pitched in the way they knew best. Neta ji unified people against the common enemy....the brits...that's how i see it😊

as far as govt not recognizing Neta ji, I feel it was a conspiracy of nehruvian brand of politicians to keep nehru's prime ministership safe by keeping the extremely popular neta ji "missing in action". more on the pact that the then govt of india signed with the brits later....dirty dirty politics in play there...nothing else.😊

Originally posted by: chatbuster

problem with netaji was that he aligned himself with the japanese, sort of making a pact with the devil. like many others, i idololize his personal bravery and his zeal for our country, but once he died, there wasnt much of a legacy that he left behind, at least a legacy that the govt could hold up. he "lost" in that sense.

That's true. He should have left a whole bunch of kids and grand kids as his legacy to rule India. We know how India operates anyway.😛

Originally posted by: souro

That's true. He should have left a whole bunch of kids and grand kids as his legacy to rule India. We know how India operates anyway.😛

that could have been funny unless one knew what the japs did to the indian POWs themselves. did not even spare them. so much for netaji's efforts trying to woo the japs. seems to have lost it all around big time.😛

and given that not only the congress but also the BJP has been in power, wonder why they didnt try to polish up netaji's statues for the western tourists and politicians who've come trouping by regularly.😉 tell u why. because they are somewhere rightly ashamed of an indian making a pact with what history considers the really bad guys. 😊

Originally posted by: chatbuster

that could have been funny unless one knew what the japs did to the indian POWs themselves. did not even spare them. so much for netaji's efforts trying to woo the japs. seems to have lost it all around big time.😛

and given that not only the congress but also the BJP has been in power, wonder why they didnt try to polish up netaji's statues for the western tourists and politicians who've come trouping by regularly.😉 tell u why. because they are somewhere rightly ashamed of an indian making a pact with what history considers the really bad guys. 😊

i don't think BJP is ashamed of Neta ji and his contribution to India's freedom. I don't think anyone except congress is the culprit behind not recognizing Netaji's contribution. If BJP was ashamed of Neta ji then why would they raise a hue and cry over congress rejecting mukherjee commission report??? check the article below.

as far as Netaji alligning with Japs and Germany....well, necessity does create strange bed fellows. prime example is bush and musharraf...at least the former is clearly fighting against the terrorism. same way, whatever was germany's or jap's agenda, Neta ji's agenda was sampoorna swaraj and there's nothing to be ashamed of there. he did bring indians inside and outside india together to fight against the brits. no one can refute that.

he is not recognized due to the politics played by nehru and gandhi to make sure nehru stays in power after independence...nothing less nothing more😊 his alliance with japs and germany has nothing to do with his contribution not getting acknowledged. he is ignored just because of dirty politics. to me Neta ji is also epitome of India's freedom struggle along with my favs Bhagat Singh and Chadra Shekhar Azad😊

here's the article where BJP and NDA is criticizing congress for hiding facts. this article provides an insight into why congress ignored Netaji in the first place.

BJP demands probe into findings of Mukherjee Commission

NEW DELHI, AUG 11 (PTI) Opposition BJP today demanded further enquiry into the findings of the Mukherjee Commission which has ruled out the possibilty of an aircrash as the cause of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's death and alleged the Congress regime is trying to "supress" facts in the matter "for a long time". "Please table the proof on which you rejected the Mukherjee Commission report. During its enquiry, why didn't you help the Commission in obtaining information from Russian archives," BJP senior leader and former HRD minister Murli Manohar Joshi said at a seminar on the alleged disappearance of the Indian freedom fighter. The government had tabled an Action Taken Report rejecting the findings of the M K Mukherjee commission report in Parliament, with Lok Sabha taking up a short discussion earlier this month. Joshi further asked why is the Congress "consistently" trying to "malign" the image of Bose and accused the party of "supressing" certain parts of history of the freedom struggle. He said people who had ideological differences or were "potential rivals" to Nehru like Bose, Chandrashekhar Azad and Savarkar were always sidelined from the political mainstream or defamed by the Congress and alleged that Subhas Chandra Bose's so-called death was part of such "conspiracy". Going a step further, NDA convenor George Fernandes said successive Congress governments have hidden details about Bose's death and said it is clear that Nehru feared if Bose showed up, the (Nehru-Gandhi) dynasty would not have been able to rule India. http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=405949

I think Bose was having an approach which would anyways not fetch us freedom but would have provided counter productive to what Gandhi was doing..

People like the sentiment of a person who thinks about picking up the gun when and fight the collossal.. but while most people like the emotion they sense the impossibility of something like that working..

So, Yes S C Bose was a freedom fighter in every sense.. but how much difference would he have made is something that always is too fluid for people to recognize him and his efforts with total conviction... 😊

I think he is not the unsung hero.. people acknowledge his contribution but his song is right there zipped up in somewhere....people dont think its necessary to give it too much importance...

i think it's more important to see what the NDA did when they were in power, not what they say when they are trying to rake up opposition issues. just as example, i am sure they wld have signed the nuclear deal with the US if they were in power, with the congress opposing it. so much for principles, but that's another saga.

as for politics, it's there everywhere, isnt it? when you have a CEO/ leader, why will they brook any intereference and have folks undermine their strategy? gandhi's peaceful overtures to the brits wld have likely failed if he had not sidelined bose. cant exactly succeed running with the hare and hunting with the hound.

and yes, we've had a sorry list of national leaders. we cld always blame the nehrus and the gandhis for that, but the sad state is that the alternatives have not been better. today, we do have netas of every stripe, dont we? how capable wld they have been in facing up to uncertain times and threats after having inherited a mindset born in long slavery and servitude?

sure, we can have our indian idol in bose. but everytime a foreign leader comes visiting those samadhis, we'll have to always hide his axis connections. nothing to be very proud of there.

^^to the above I can only say that the Chinese don't even try to hide any connection or past history of Mao, instead they proudly display it and are twice more successful as a nation as we are. If foreign dignitaries are a reason, why we whould be hiding who we think have done great service for our country then there's nothing much I can say about it. Maybe, then we should also try and hide Gandhi's half naked statues, cos the Brits didn't like it.

Originally posted by: souro

^^to the above I can only say that the Chinese don't even try to hide any connection or past history of Mao, instead they proudly display it and are twice more successful as a nation as we are. If foreign dignitaries are a reason, why we whould be hiding who we think have done great service for our country then there's nothing much I can say about it. Maybe, then we should also try and hide Gandhi's half naked statues, cos the Brits didn't like it.

there's a difference between being considered poor/ barely clad and being in bed with a bad bunch of characters.

also, the germans tried saying at the nuremberg trials that the ends justify the means. not the preferred pholosophy these days though. if the US had that mentality today, they cld always blow afghanistan/ iraq outa the map, but they dont, do they?

again, at least i am not questioning his personal bravey etc., just that he happens to be an inconvenient idol for us to hold up especially when there are so many others that have not been heralded much and dont even have anything to tarnish their efforts.