PAYING tribute to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

NETAJI scholars and his flag bearers are elated that the diverse
nation recalled the epic heroics of the illustrious nationalist on his
125th birth anniversary on January 23, 2021. The inspiring
revolutionary hastened the mighty British empire to quit India in
1947 with the help of the AZAD Hind Fouz (INA).Common people, the
Federal and several state governments organised various events to
appreciate his valour and unique leadership to stand up against the
tyrant. The people are now convinced in what circumstances the
Cuttack born revolutionary had to seek support of Japan and
Germany to free his motherland from the clutches of foreign rule
and their domestic courtiers. Despite being a socialist, admirer of
erstwhile USSR, a contemporary of Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji was
for militant approach to independence and push for socialist policies.

Has not the Bangladesh Liberation Movement helped by India in the
1970s proved his critics wrong and shamed them? The son of a
wealthy and prominent lawyer, did not hesitate to resign his
candidacy after being successful in civil service examination and
rushed home from Cambridge in April 1921 after hearing of
nationalist turmoil in India. Accepting Mahatma Gandhi as his friend,
philosopher and guide , he had joined the Indian National Congress
which stood for non-violent movement for freedom. His non
compromising attitude and left leanings soon became anathema to
the INC’s leadership and reached the corridors of then foreign rulers.
As Gandhi ji gradually increased his influence and adherents in the
INC, Netaji started questioning Gandhi’s more conservative
economics as well as his less confrontational and compromising
approach toward independence. In 1938, he was elected president
of the Indian National Congress and formed a national planning
committee which formulated a policy of broad industrialization.
However, this did not harmonize with Gandhian economic thoughts.
He antagonized Gandhi ji and his followers by defeating Gandhian
rival for re-election as AICC president in 1939. He was convinced
soon that it was futile to survive in the organisation minus Gandhi’s
backing or moral support. He walked out and founded the All India
Forward Bloc. Soon , the colonial police imprisoned him in July
1940 . He was firm on continuing to fast till death frightening the
British government as it was engaged in the 2 nd World War and
badly needed support of the Indian public ,especially the Indian
defence forces. Hence, the colonial authorities shifted him to his
ancestral Kolkata house on January 26, 1941 from where he had
escaped, reached Gomoh Railway station, now in Jharkhand, by car
driven by his nephew Dr Sisir Bose, travelled by the Frontier Mail to
reach Kabul in disguise and thence to Germany. From there he arrived
in Tokyo in May 1943 where Rash Behari Bose handed over his
Indian National Army to him .It was founded by Captain Mohan Singh in Singapore with Japan’s Indian POWs. Pic courtesy: DD News