Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
August 15th 2007, marks 60th Anniversary of Independence of India. Scores of patriots
sacrificed to achieve Independence. So 60th Anniversary of Independence is an extremely
joyous occasion for all the Indians across the globe. If you look at Indian Freedom History
after Mahatma Gandhi, the name that stands out is of Subhas Chandra Bose or Netaji.
Netaji is really one of the most influential and charismatic personalities of India. Netaji
sacrificed everything for the sake of our beloved India. Finally, he even gave his life for the
sake of our country.
Though Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru have garnered much of the credit for
successful culmination of Indian freedom struggle, the contribution of Subash Chandra
Bose, a man with a burning desire to excel, is no less. He has been denied his rightful
place in the annals of Indian history.
Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa. His father Janaki
Nath Bose was a very famous lawyer and his mother Prabhavati Devi was a religious and
pious lady. Subhas Chandra Bose was the ninth child among fourteen siblings. Subhas
Chandra Bose was a brilliant student right from the childhood. He topped the matriculation
examination of Calcutta province and graduated with a First Class in Philosophy from the
Scottish Churches College in Calcutta. He was strongly influenced by Swami Vivekananda's
teachings.
In early years, he left the most lucrative post of ICS (Indian Civil Service) for entering into
Freedom Struggle. Millions of Indians regard him as one of the Greatest Heroes of India’s
Struggle for Independence.
He deferred completely with Mahatma Gandhi on method to achieve freedom from British
colonial rule. Mahatma Gandhi as we all know followed non-violence method all along to
achieve freedom whereas Netaji believed that British can be driven out of India only through
armed struggle. Mahatma and Netaji both had highest regards for each other although their
path was diametrically opposite. Ultimately, we did achieve Independence through non-
violence led by Mahatma Gandhi. But this does not mean that we should ignore the
sacrifices made by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, his Indian National Army during World War
II and many other Freedom Fighters.
It is important to understand first the concept of freedom as envisaged by Netaji - the ideal
which motivated him to wrest it from the hands of the British by the force of arms. In his
entire political career, Subhas Chandra Bose was guided by two cardinal principles in his
search for his country's emancipation: that there could be no compromise with alien
colonialists on this issue, and that on no account would the country be partitioned. The
Indian geographical unity was to be maintained at all costs.
With blessings from Gandhi Ji, in 1938, Netaji was elected President of All India Congress
and again in 1939 Netaji got elected with majority votes as President of Congress once
again against the wishes of Gandhi Ji. Gandhi Ji opposed his election vehemently because
of differences in their strategies to gain Independence and finally within few months Netaji
had to resign from the post of President of Congress.
In January 1941, Netaji escaped British house arrest in India and arrived in Germany when
World War II was at peak. He met Hitler, who gave him his unconditional approval for the
establishment of a FreeIndiaCenter and inauguration of a Free India Radio, both beginning
their operations in November 1941. These two organizations played vital and significant
roles in projecting Bose's increasing activities in Germany, but a detailed account of their
operation lies outside the scope of this article. It should be sufficient to say that the German
government put at Bose's disposal adequate funds to run these two organizations, and he
was allowed complete freedom to run them the way he liked at his own discretion. For the
first time India’s tri-color was unfurled on German soil. With few Indian soldiers who were
POW’s (under German Army) Netaji formed Azad Hind Fauz (Indian National army) which
was just the beginning of what was to happen in Singapore after 2 years.
Somehow, Netaji felt that it was very difficult to organize any resistance to British from
German soil as it was far away from India. He decided to go to Japan with his dream to form
a massive force consisting of Indian POW’s in Japanese custody which numbered close to
60,000 which happened after the fall of Singapore.
With German help, Netaji took a perilous U2 submarine voyage from German waters and
arrived in south-east Asia in July1943 after few weeks of travel under water along with his
aide Abid Hassan. Japan was already waiting for the arrival of Great Leader Netaji. With the
Japanese help, all 60,000 Indian soldiers were released and were allowed to join Netaji’s
newly formed Azad Hind Fauz or Indian National Army (INA). Netaji held meetings with
batches of POW’s and exhorted the soldiers to join INA. Finally, Netaji was successful to
sway the loyalty of Indian soldiers to his cause.
Because of his past background where he had won the election for Congress Presidency
against the wishes of Mahatma Gandhi, his meeting with Hitler, and his U2 submarine
voyage from Europe to Southeast Asia, he was held in awe by Indians living in Southeast
Asia.
Millions of dollars and jewelry poured into Azad Hind Fund which was heavily contributed by
Indians living in Southeast Asia. January 23rd (Netaji’s Birthday) became a special day to
collect contributions for Azad Hind Fund. Netaji’s War of Independence brought back
nostalgic memories of First War of Independence in 1857. Netaji's war was one of the
biggest event of the hisory of our freedom fight.1857.
On Oct. 21st 1943, Netaji formally announced from Singapore formation of Azad Hind Fauz
(INA) and Azad Hind Government. This is one of the most significant moments in the history
of India’s struggle for Independence. This was also the most significant day in Netaji's life as
he saw thousands of INA solidiers who took oath to shed blood so as to free Mother
India from the shackles of British slavery. 4 divisions (Gandhi Brigade, Subhas Brigade,
Nehru Brigade etc.) were formed which consisted of Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians.
Thus, INA represented symbol of National Unity. It was truly a secular army of Government
of India in exile under the Commander-in-chief Netaji who was also the Prime Minister of
Government of India in exile. Women’s brigade Jhansi Ki Rani Brigade was also formed
under Captain Lakshmi Sehgal. Lots of Tamilians living in Malaya also joined INA to fight
against British.
Netaji’s most famous slogans during the war were “Chalo Delhi” and “Give me your blood
and I will give you your freedom”. These 2 slogans inspired Indians all across the globe.
“Jana Gana Mana” became the National Anthem and Hindi was the official language. The
flag consisted of same Tri-Color as adopted by Congress except that in the Center of the
flag Netaji replaced Spinning Wheel with a picture of a springing Tiger which was in line with
his own courageous nature. Slogan “Jai Hind” came into existence after Netaji decided to
use at end of every meeting. Now very few Indians know that the slogan “Jai Hind”
originated from Netaji. We all know that JaiHind is a salutation most commonly used in
India in speeches and communications pertaining to or referring to patriotism towards India.
And whenever Indians say Jai Hind they automatically salute India and Netaji who coined
that slogan. In 1947, Govt of India officially adoped Jai Hind as the National Slogan of India.
Thus once an INA slogan, now became the National Slogan of Free India.
JAI HIND
Netaji thought that once the INA reached Indian soil, the British Indian Army loyal to British
will turn against British and join INA and thus the British rule will collapse.
During World War II, Netaji saw complicated international politics happening right in front of
his eyes. Netaji basically was not a military man, however, at times, he stunned Japanese
commanders by recommending them his suggestions on certain military tactics.
INA took part in their assault at Imphal in Assam. They also captured few square miles of
Indian territory and in Moirang the Indian Tri-Color was unfurled on 14th April 1944 with great
fanfare. This was the Greatest moment for INA and Netaji to have reached inside their
motherland. But later due to heavy monsoon and lack of Air Force Cover and lack of military
supplies, finally INA had to retreat along with Japanese Army and hundreds of INA soldiers
died during the retreat. At this point, it was very difficult to imagine the state of mind of
Netaji. However Netaji would never give up. He had plans to re-group again and continue
the assault.
On August 6th 1945, USA dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima and 3 days later another
atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki killing thousands of Japanese. Japan had no way
out of this disaster, finally surrendered to allied forces on August 15 th, 1945. On August 18th,
1945, Netaji’s plane took off Taihoku (Taipei) in the afternoon supposedly heading towards
Tokyo but no one knows exactly what happened after this flight. Netaji was only 48 years of
age at this point. Had Netaji returned to India after 1947, under his leadership we would
have seen a different India, a fast progressing India. Many historians believe that had Netaji
lived after the war, he would have greatly complicated post-war negotiations. However, I do
not know how Netaji would have avoided partition of India.
On August 23rd ,1945 (8 Days after alleged crash), Japan declared that Netaji died in plane
crash at Taihoku (now Taipei) on August 18 th, 1945. But recently CIA and also The
Government of Taiwan declared that no such plane crash took place on August 18 th, 1945.
This means that Japanese used a cover or subterfuge for Netaji’s escape to most likely
Soviet Union as Netaji had already planned to take help from Russians while Japanese were
planning for their surrender to Allied forces.
All of above paragraph has been confirmed by Justice Mukherjee commission in their final
report on Netaji’s mysterious disappearance. The report was submitted to Govt. of India in
2005 for the debate in parliament. Govt of India sat on it for 6 months and then one fine
morning Justice Mukherjee’s report was rejected by the Government in few minutes without
holding any debate in the parliament. It took many years for Justice Mukherjee to come up
with the report. Indian Govt. maintained their earlier stand that Netaji did die on August 18th
1945 in that Taihoku plane crash based on 2 earlier commissions by Shahnawaz and Khosla
which runs contrary to the recent confirmation by Govt of Taiwan that no plane crash took
place on August 18th, 1945 at Taihoku Airport.
Since now it is confirmed that no plane crash took place on August 18th, 1945, it is almost
certain that Netaji must have escaped to Soviet Union. And if this is true then this must have
been the most brilliantly executed secret plan by Japanese during World War II.
It is possible that after reaching Soviet Union, Netaji may have been arrested by Soviets and
was sent to Siberian Jail and he may have died in Siberian Jails. But no one can confirm this
due to lack of access to Soviet archives on Netaji. Gove of India never helped Justice
Mukherjee commission to gain full access to Soviet archives so as to get to the bottom of the
truth. Had the request to Soviet Union come from the Prime Minister of India while Justice
Mukherjee was conducting his investigation in Soviet Union, Soviet Union would have
yielded to the request and it was possible to get to the bottom of the truth. Now it seems
Netaji’s end will remain a mystery forever. In fact, right after India became Independent, the
first and the foremost thing the Govt of India should have undertaken was to hold a thorough
investigation into the disappearance of Netaji and find out the truth. At that time many
witnesses would have come forward to solve the mystery. Now it seems that it is too late as
the most of the witnesses are dead. However, every Indian has a right to know what exactly
happended to Netaji. And it is the responsibilty and duty of Govt of India to come up with the
truth regarding this matter.
Older generation Indians now living in south east Asia who saw Netaji in action during his
INA activities during 1943-1945 in Singapore, when interviewed few years back, all of them
said that the period 1943-1945 was the happiest period in their lives as they had found a
worthwhile cause to sacrifice for their motherlland India.
Mukherjee commission’s basic findings on Netaji were as follows (As per Premendra
Agrawal’s Sulekha Article):
Mukherjee Commission submitted its report on November 8, 2005. The government sat on it
for six months, then tabled it in Parliament on May 17, 2006, when it also rejected the report.
Why such late in tabling the report?
(1). Netaji did not die in the August 1945 Taipei plane crash as reported.
(2) The ashes at Tokyo’s Renkoji temple are not his.
(3) The story of the crash was a trick to help him escape, and the Japanese and Taiwanese
governments knew about it.
(4) The Indian government suppressed a report by the Taiwanese government which stated
this in 1956.
(5) Netaji is now dead.
Netaji may not have been successful in winning Freedom for India. However, the very
formation of INA by Netaji shook the confidence of British regarding loyalty of British Indian
soldiers in the British Army on whom British Rule depended in India. Formation of INA
created grave doubts in the minds of British regarding the loyalty of British Indian troops in
India.. This sentiment was echoed in 1946 when there was mutiny by British Indian Navy in
Mumbai in 1946 when they revolted against British. This was enough for British to sound an
alarm that they can no longer hold together British Indian Army and navy to rule India.
Despite Japan's defeat and the consequent withering away of the Indian National Army on
the India-Burma front, both Subhas Chandra Bose and his INA became household names
throughout India. INA implanted the spark of patriotism in the hearts of Indian people.
It is very sad that the Government of India after 1947, tried to erase memory of Netaji. It took
32 years (since 1947) to unveil Netaji’s portrait in Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi in
1979 (thanks to Janata Govt under Prime Minister Morarji Desai). And it took 50 years to
install Netaji's life size statue outside the parliament building. This was ultimately installed by
Govt of India on January 23rd, 1997 on the occasion of Netaji's Birth Anniversary. And after
tremendous pressure from the public, finally Govt declared with hesitation, 23rd January
1997 as a National Holiday. And the announcement came very late that too just 3 days
before January 23rd, 1997.
Many of the classified documents maintained in Indian archives were destroyed in 1960’s.
Many requests from public organizations asking Govt to declassify Netaji Files were futile as
Govt. always said that it is not in the interest of the country to make them public. It is very
difficult to understand what they mean by this. After independence, Govt of India did not
recognize the INA soldiers as Freedom Fighters for a long time. Only in late 1960’s they
were accorded the status as a freedom fighter. After Independence, Govt of India refused to
take back INA soldiers into Indian Army of Free India. Reason given by the Govt of India was
that when INA soldiers joined INA, they violated the military descipline by breaking the oath
that they took for loyalty to British crown at the time when they had joined British Indian
Army. Ultimately, due to lack of financial support, s ubsequently many INA soldiers died in
abject poverty after 1947.
Gandhi Ji and Netaji had a Great affection towards each other. In 1946, at a public speech in
Delhi, Gandhi Ji called Netaji “The Patriot of Patriots”. Gandhi Ji also said that patriotism of
Netaji and his sacrifices to the country were second to none. And earlier in 1944, Netaji in a
Radio Speech from Singapore had referred to Mahatma Ji as our “Father of the Nation”.
I was very glad to see that Great Director Shyam Benegal with help of Sahara TV, directed
Rs. 21 crore movie on Netaji "Netaji : The Forgotten Hero". I saw it and liked it. I am glad
that a movie is now documented on Netaji which future generations can always watch. I was
surprised that this movie on Netaji did not do well at box office across India which is very
puzzling.
Today, I read in the newspaper that Orissa Govt has finally turned the house “Janakinath
Bhavan” in Cuttack where Netaji was born and spent his childhood days into a National
Monument and Museum and is now open for public viewing from today. This project was
neglected for many decades by the Govt. I am happy to see that now museum has become
a reality. This time, Govt of India contributed Rs. 1.5 crores towards its restoration.
Recently, on August 23rd, 2007, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Netaji Bhavan
and Museum in Calcutta and paid Great Tributes to Netaji. He also said that Netaji is a
highly respected personality in Japan. I am not so sure if Mr. Shinzo Abe was the first Prime
Minister of Japan to visit Netaji Bhavan and Museum in Calcutta.
When historian Dr. Mazumdar spoke to the then British Prime Minister Lord Atlee on Britain’s
decision to grant Independence to India, Lord Atlee said the following:
“In his reply Atlee cited among several reasons, the principal among them being the erosion
of loyalty to the British Crown among the Indian army and navy personnel as a result of the
military activities of Netaji”.
Let us all salute Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on this occasion of India's 60th
Independence Day. JAI HIND!!!!
Purpose of this article is also to revive the memory of Netaji on the occasion of 60th
Independence day of India.
As per late Ranjan Borra’s (a staunch follower of Netaji) Article on Netaji which states:
“When the new version of the history of the 20th Century India, especially the episode of
country’s unique struggle for independence comes to be written, it will no doubt single out
but one person who made the most significant and outstanding contribution among all his
compatriots towards the emancipation of his motherland from the shackles of an alien
bondage. During World War II, this man strode across two continents like a colossus, and
the footsteps of his army of liberation reverberated through the forests and plains of Europe
and the jungles and the mountains of Asia. His armed assaults shook the very foundations
of the British Empire. His name is Subhas Chandra Bose.”