Netaji: The Youth Icon

Biplob Ghosal

Some people write history with a pen, some by their might, and some simply by virtue of being associated with someone. But if ever there was a man, who wrote history by his blood, courage and sheer determination, it was Subhash Chandra Bose. His motivational leadership inspired thousands of Indians to die for the motherland, and his Indian National Army shook the foundations of the mighty British Empire.

"Never for a moment falter in your faith in India`s destiny. There is no power on earth that can keep India enslaved. India shall be free and before long."

"Give me blood and I`ll give you freedom". These were the words, which Subhash Chandra Bose, famously known as Netaji, spoke to prepare the youth for a revolution, when our country was under the imperialistic British regime. He not only brought the youth together, but also revolutionized their thoughts to enable them to come to the forefront in the war of Independence. Netaji was a man who dared to dream a dream that appeared more of a mirage to the hapless millions, who had forgotten what it meant to breathe in free air. He played a vital role in the student and youth movements and advocated an aggressive and violent fight to counter the British. The formation of the All India Forward Bloc in 1939, a political party and later the INA in 1943 is a true example of his revolutionary ideas. A great leader in the making Subhash Chandra Bose was not only a leader of revolutionary ideas, but was also way ahead of his contemporaries in India’s freedom struggle. His demand of "complete independence" at the Calcutta Congress of 1928 instead of "dominion status" is a case in point. Deeply influenced by Chittaranjan Das, Netaji accepted him as his mentor. Bose’s support to the Non Cooperation and Khilafat movements reflects his dedication to the cause of India`s freedom based on Hindu-Muslim unity. Subhash Chandra was one of India`s greatest nationalist leaders of the 20th century. He was born on Jan 23, 1897, at Cuttack, Orissa. He was the ninth child of a lawyer of Kayasth caste. Netaji dedicated himself for the cause of India’s independence at a very early stage of his life. After securing a Cambridge University honours degree, he returned to India and involved himself in Left-wing politics. The Bose-Gandhian conflict In 1938 he was elected as the president of Indian National Congress. But slowly ideological differences with Gandhiji began to creep in. Netaji was a strong believer in a militant overthrow of British rule, whereas Gandhiji preferred non-violent resistance. So in 1939 when he decided to stand again – this time as the spokesperson of radical groups, he was opposed by many senior leaders including Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad, JB Kripalani, who put up Pattabhi Sitaramayya as their candidate for the post. However, Subhash Bose was elected on 29 January by a thumping majority However, at the Tripuri session of the Congress (8-12 March 1939), Bose completely misjudged his support and the meaning of his majority in the presidential election. He believed that the Congress was strong enough to launch an immediate struggle and that the masses were ready for such action. He wanted to be the leader of the movement and wanted Gandhiji to follow the strategy and tactics laid down by him and the Left wing parties and groups. But Gandhiji would have none of this and believed in following his own principles. Bose had no other option but to resign. Nehru tried to mediate between the two sides, but Netaji did not waver from his stand. He founded the All India Forward Bloc in 1939, a political party, and went ahead with his battle for freedom to overthrow the British Empire. Bose and INA Miffed at his friendly attitude towards the axis powers, the British put Netaji under house arrest in 1941. He, however, managed to flee. The first Indian National Army(INA) formed in early 1942 collapsed in the same year in December. But was soon revived by Bose in 1943. In World War II, he saw an opportunity to free India from the clutches of British rule. After escaping the house arrest he reached Germany and sought help from Hitler. Though the dictator was initially not inclined to help Bose, as was evident when he said, “I, as a man of Germanic blood, would, in spite of everything, rather see India under English rule than under any other”, but he later allowed Netaji to set up a Free India Centre in Berlin and induct, for an `Indian Legion`, Indians in British uniform captured by the Germans. But Nazi racism got in the way of Bose`s grand plans for an Axis-Indian Army. So he next turned to the Japanese. With the help of the Japanese, he came back to Singapore via sea route. This was the time when he broadcast an inspiring appeal to Indians through the Japanese-controlled Radio Singapore `Give me blood and I will give you freedom!` On Oct 21, 1943 in Capitol Theatre he organised the ‘Indian National Army’ (Azad Hind Fauj) with the help of Japan. A women`s regiment by the name of ‘Rani Jhansi’ was also formed. Addressing the members of the force, Bose urged, “It is our duty to pay for our liberty with our own blood. The freedom that we shall win through our sacrifice and exertions, we shall be able to preserve with our own strength.` ....." In November 1943, the INA, helped by the Japanese Army, captured Andaman and Nicobar Islands and freed nearly two million Indian. Netaji then moved his headquarters to Yangon. From there, he gave the slogan Chalo Delhi. The INA continued its march and later crossed the Myanmar border and raised the national flag on the Indian soil. Despite their ideological differences, Bose had high regard for Mahatma Gandhi. This becomes evident in his address on July 6, 1944 when in a broadcast on Azad Hind Radio he addressed Gandhiji and said, “`India`s last war of independence has begun . . . Father of our Nation! In this holy war of India`s liberation, we ask for your blessing and good wishes.` On July 8, 1945, Bose laid the foundation stone of the INA War Memorial at the Esplanade in Singapore to commemorate the “Unknown Warrior” of the INA. The words inscribed upon the War Memorial were the motto of the INA: Unity (Ittefaq), Faith (Ehtmad) and Sacrifice (Kurbani). However, INA’s success was short lived, as the defeat of the Japanese Army in the War dealt a severe blow to its march and they soon began losing ground. Adieu Netaji’s death has been wrapped in mystery. Though his death was officially announced by Radio Tokyo on August 18, 1945, many disagreed and said that he might have forged the accident in order to escape the British and team up with Stalin, the then Russian President to carry on the fight against the British. Bose`s death has occupied the Indian mindscape in the same way as the American President Kennedy’s killing has occupied that of Americans. The mystery is still unresolved. His greatness can be judged by the fact that few years back a BBC online poll named Bose the third greatest-ever leader in South Asia after Gandhi and Jinnah. Despite being a great nationalist Bose has been denied his rightful place in the annals of India history. Netaji’s charisma has lived beyond his death and his very name evokes a sense of pride and excitement among the Indian people. He had given a new dimension to the freedom struggle, which played a crucial role in making the nation free. He always wanted to see harmony and brotherly relations among the Indians. He was a spiritualist, leftist, nationalist, and many other adjectives while he lived. Fulfilling his dream by keeping our freedom secure would be a true homage to this great son of India.