Highest ICS of Indian Govt. After being selected for the post and completing his training in the City of London, a young man resigns from the post and returns to India. He disembarked from the ship in Bombay on 16 July 1921 and rushed to meet Annal Gandhi that evening.
“I am ready to make any sacrifice for the freedom of India,” he assures emotionally. Anna also embraces him. That young man is the gold of Bengal, the lion who held the flag of freedom aloft, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
In December of the same year, the city of Calcutta came to a standstill when protests broke out against the Prince of Wales’ visit to India. Protest leader Bose was sentenced to eight months in jail for that. In 1924, a British officer was killed in a bomb attack and was imprisoned for two years. After liberation, Subhash was given the post of Youth Congress president.
Bose also served as the Mayor of Calcutta in 1930. He also took charge as the President of Bengal Congress. He was then 34. Eight years younger than Pandit Nehru; Annal was 28 years younger than Gandhi. Freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose rose to become the leader of the people with his courage, bravery, sacrificial act and fiery speech.
Gandhiji correctly predicted Netaji and wanted to put the rough diamond to good use. So at a meeting held in October 1937, Annal Gandhi said, “It is better if you accept the post of Congress Agrasanar (Leader)”. Netaji accepted Annal’s advice.
Bose was brought to the 51st Congress Mahasabha meeting in Gujarat on 19 February 1938 in a beautiful chariot with 51 white bulls locked. Accepting Pandit Nehru’s request to step down, Subhash assumed the leadership.
During Netaji’s leadership for a year, he worked in harmony with Gandhiji. He said to Gandhiji, “The Congress party and the Muslim League party should work together. In the states where the Congress has formed a majority, the Muslim League party should also be included in the government.
Similarly, in the states where the Muslim League has majority, the Congress should be included in the governance. These suggestions gave Annal complete satisfaction. But religious, linguistic and regional thinkers within the party alleged that “Bose is acting arbitrarily; he doesn’t respect other people’s opinion”.
Subhash Bose said, “I have not been able to accomplish what I wanted to do within one year of assuming office. Therefore, I want to stand for the second time in the election of the President in 1939.” However, he did not get the consent of Annal.
Elections were held on 29 January 1939. Gandhian Pattabhi Sitharamayya stood against Subashchandra Bose! The pose received 1,580 votes; Pattabhi got 1,375 votes. The existing executive committee members refused to co-operate with Subhash Bose who won the chairmanship. Bose said, “If I fail to gain the confidence of Annal Gandhiji even if I have the support of all the people, I will consider it a failure.”
In this difficult situation, Bose met Gandhiji. Then Annal said, “If you include people from the opposite side, they will stand in the way of your action; therefore, you can appoint only those whom you trust and who will work in harmony with you. But act calmly. This is my advice.”
Gandhiji did not find unanimous support; Congress was not ready to cooperate. In this difficult situation, Subhas Bose resigned as President on 29.4.1939.
Unable to implement his plan through the Congress, Bose started a new movement called the Forward Block. Then on 13 June 1940, Bose met Gandhi and said, “I believe that what I cannot achieve in your way, I can achieve in my way.” “Good,” said Gandhi.
“Bose asks if you have something to say, “Bose! If you can get freedom for India as you think, I will be the first to congratulate you. A word of warning though! The way you go, armed warfare is wrong. It is my duty to point this out’ said Gandhi.
It was reported that a protest would be started against the Annal Gandhi government. Then Bose wrote a letter to Annal Gandhiji on 23.12.1940. In it he said, “I will unconditionally support any struggle you start for India’s freedom.”
To which Annal Gandhiji replied, “Very happy. May you recover completely. I know you are a rare leader who is sensitive and active in the Indian nation.”
On October 2, 1943, on Gandhiji’s 75th birthday, Subhash Bose spoke on the Bangkok City Radio saying, “All of us, the people of India, bow down to Annal Gandhi. We wish him victory in the war of liberation that he is waging, and that victory must be engraved in golden letters in history.”
Netaji named the three divisions of the Indian National Army established abroad – Gandhi, Nehru and Azad. Bose announced to India and the world that Gandhi, Nehru and Azad were the leaders of his liberation war.
When he assumed the command of the Indian National Army and hoisted the national flag on foreign soil (August 4, 1944), he delivered a speech in a hushed voice saying, “Mahatmaji! Father of our nation! I have started a holy war for the liberation of the Indian nation! Congratulate us on its victory.”
In “Harijan” published on 12.2.1946, “Bose’s patriotism was second to none; Boldness shines in his every move and action. His ambition was very high. But could not succeed in it.
Let us accept his ambition; Let’s fight peacefully. Let us take as a lesson his overflowing patriotism, sense of sacrifice, determination, sense of duty, unity beyond caste, religion, language and regional differences. Let’s fulfill his ambition,’ wrote Annal.
The Mahatma initially refused to believe the news that Netaji had disappeared. Gandhiji said, “He will come back. He will work with me. He will fulfill his ideal. My inner feeling says so.”
A few days later, when evidence emerged that Subhash Bose had disappeared, Annal said, “Forget what I have already said. My intention is false. He has left us. If that is God’s will, what can we do?”
Gandhiji, who never remembered anyone’s birthday, remembered Netaji’s birthday. Especially in the prayer meeting held on 23.1.1948, seven days before his death, Annal said, “Today is Subashchandra Bose’s birthday. I am happy to announce it.
Subhash Nidu is a patriot like no other. He dedicated everything for the nation. He was not a warrior; But the commander of a large army. He fought against the British Empire itself. His army consisted of people of all religions.
In his view all Indians are the same. All are equal! Let us remember such a Subhash Bhousa. Let’s work together in his way’, he said. That was Mahatma’s final eulogy to Mahatma Subhash Chandra Bose.
Mahatma and Mahaveer Netaji had the same ideal. They dreamed of a united India that includes freedom, equality, brotherhood and religious harmony! It is the prime duty of every Indian to make their dreams come true!
Today (Jan. 23) Netaji
Subhash Chandra Bose’s birthday.
Columnist:
Gandhian.