Netaji and Freedom Struggle

Santanu Nandi Purkayastha

(He can be reached at santanutanu09@gmail.com)

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the greatest freedom fighter of India who shook the British Empire completely and compelled them to leave our country, was born on 23rd January 1897 in Cuttack to Janaki Nath Bose and Prabhavati Devi. He was very brilliant in his studies and to keep his father's wish he sat for Indian Civil Service Examination in England and secured IV position. He could have passed his life in Luxuries and comfort but he declined to work under British rule and joined Indian National Congress to free the country from British. In the year 1938 and 1939 he was elected as the president of Indian National congress but due to the differences of opinion with Gandhiji and his followers he left the congress and formed Forward Block. Due to his active involvement in Freedom struggle he was placed under house arrest by the British. In 1941, he escaped in disguise from Kolkata and reached Germany through Afghanistan. After that, the role that he played as freedom fighter segregates him from others.

Swami Vivekananda wanted young people of India to be like lions, filled with self confidence and courage and must have a great organizing capacity. What Swamiji thought, Netaji was born out of it.

At the outset of the Second World War, he had travelled to a number of countries, including Soviet Union, Nazi Germany and imperial Japan, so as to seek alliance with each and to attack the British in India. In Germany, Subhas Chandra Bose formed Indian Legion comprising of 4500 soldiers in 1941 to fight against British. The Legion helped Hitler's Nazi regime a lot. On the other hand Adlof Hitler also assured Netaji their help in India's freedom struggle. This was Netaji's first born army. Subhas Chandra Bose became a part of the Axis Power which was headed by three great giant countries- Japan, Italy and Germany. Nazi Regime recognized a provisional "Free India Government" in exile under Subhas Chandra Bose. Later on, he established Government of free India in Singapore. Government of free India had their own coins, stamps, Court and Civil code. They also had their own Radio center and named it Azad Hind Radio Center. Netaji's speeches that were broadcasted through Azad Hind Radio center Germany at first in 1941 then continued in regular intervals, were able to raise the patriotic feelings of every Indians to the highest order. Netaji appealed people to contribute in their own way to free the Nation from British. That message of his, went like a wild fire and a number of people from all corners of India joined the organization- like Lahore, Chandigarh, Kashmir, Kannykumari, Decca, Hyderabad, Chennai, Assam (now Northeast) etc among other places of India later on joined INA. People donated huge amount of money for the Nobel cause. Women donated their Gold ornaments for the service of Motherland.

In the end of 1942, Netaji Bose went to Japan to organize the POW to form an army to fight against British. Then Prime Minister of Japan Hideki Tojo promised full co-operation from their end for India's Freedom Struggle and accordingly Japanese handed over Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1944. These islands were renamed as Shaheed and Swaraj. These islands were first to get Independence. Later on, Netaji re- organized with the imperial Japanese assistance and led the Azad Hind Fauj or Indian National Army (INA), formed with Indian Prisoners-of –war and plantation workers from British Malaya, Singapore and other parts of South East Asia against the British forces. Even though the INA was founded by Mohan Singh but it was actually accelerated by Subhas Chandra Bose. Under the able leadership of Netaji, INA strength crossed 85000 marks. Subhas Chandra Bose was responsible for the political awakening of the Indian community in the South East Asia. Netaji declared war against British by taking more than 11 countries like Germany, Japan, Italy, Singapore, Malay,Burma, Phillipines, Malaysia among others together , where he was the unifying factor. Later on, a BUST of Subhas Chandra Bose was erected in the compound of RENKOJI Temple (a Buddhist temple) in Japan for the tribute to the great soul (Netaji)

Subhas Chandra Bose to strengthen his Military force had to move from one country to another. His transportation by Airplane, Submarine, Helicopter and Roadways were provided by Axis power countries, mainly by Japan, Italy and Germany. On 11th September 1942, National Anthem was sung for the first time in Germany. With his huge number of soldiers in INA and support from likeminded countries, Netaji gave the slogan Delhi Chalo. Netaji's plan was to enter Northeast India through Burma. Unfortunately INA could never reach Delhi due to number of factors took place together- Illness of Soldiers, many died of Malaria, food problem, Rainy season, they had no fighter plane, soldiers became very tired due to long months of travel and Moreover murder of Mussolini, Italy on 28 April 1945, Hitler committed suicide on 30 April 1945 and Bombing of Japan on 6 and 9 August 1945 became very difficult for INA to enter India. To rejuvenate the INA once again to stand and fight against British, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was also not there. It is believed that Netaji died in a plane crash in Taiwan on 18 August 1945.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Assam:

In 1938, Netaji came to Assam as a president of AICC and stayed in 'Asely Hall' (Near Earl Sanatorium in Shillong). It was a very critical time for Assam under the leadership of Sadullah, who was determined to form Muslim league Ministry in Assam. Gopinath Bordoloi invited Netaji to visit Assam and to save Assam. Netaji was regarded as having a more sensitive, sympathetic understanding of problems of Assam than other National leaders like Mulana Abul Azad and JL Nehru. It should be noted that even than around 80 years back, Assam faced the pressure of migration from East Bengal, an issue that continues to hunt it and its neighboring states, including west Bengal, today. Netaji's entry (on Bordoloi's invitation) came as savior and vehemently objected to the decision of Sadullah. Gopinath Bordoloi who had two votes short for the formation of congress-led ministry was divided among the congress but after the arrival of Subhas Chandra Bose all the congressmen were reunited and Gopinath Bordoloi secured the needed seats. It may be noted here that when the Second World War was declared, National leaders of congress decided that all the Congress Ministries should resign to declare 'Congress refusal to be involved in the war'. Bose was of the clear view that the Bordoloi's government need not resign because of the unique vulnerability of Assam on the Border of India. Mahatma Gandhi much later on understood Netaji's saying. But in 1945 when Netaji led INA was approaching India it was the same Gopi Nath Bordoloi who opposed Netaji's alliance with Japan even though the congress in Assam was divided on the issue. Several young congress men like Deva Kanta Barooah, later on congress president wanted to welcome Bose.

Let me end my writings with Subhas Chandra Bose Saying "It does not matter who among us will live to see India free. It is enough that India shall be free and that we shall give our all to make her free"