RECALLING THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE - 2

The break between Gandhi and Bose shuddered and worsened in 1939 when Bose opposed the strategy of Gandhi. Gandhi, indeed, asked Boss to give up the presidential elections of congress, nevertheless, Bose won a stumping majority.  This was declared by Gandhi as his defeat which left Bose with no choice but to leave congress which showcases his respect for Gandhi. Immediately after quitting congress, he formed a forward bloc inside congress itself which was welcomed by many of the congress leaders who followed Bose's strategy and it was considered an anti national element for which Bose and his comrades were arrested. During his time in the prison, Bose adopted to 'Fast unto death' for arresting him without a valid reason. After two weeks, the police had no other option but to release him and so he was house arrested. This was when Bose escapes from Kolkata with a strategy to reach Russia to seek support.

The world affairs then instigated Bose in analysing a plan which could soon get India her independence. As is stated in Mahabharata, ‘enemy’s enemy is a friend’. Thus he guessed that the Germany and Russia, fighting against the British, could be our friends and aid us in battling against the same foe. So he planned to reach Russia through Kabul in a disguise. But he couldn’t get the permission of the Russian embassy at Kabul. Fortunately, the German embassy at the same place recognised Bose and helped him get to Germany. Reaching his destination, he started to build up the Real Indian Army, developing the feeling of nationality among the Indian soldiers working under the German. Finally, the Azad Hind Fauj came to live. He organised many Indian centres at Germany and also stationed a radio channel exclusively for the spread of Indian nationalism.

It was then he addressed Gandhi as the ‘father of the nation’. While the real Indian National Army was ready to take action in India, Hitler declared war against Russia breaking the agreement between the two countries. And the devastation in the pearl harbour by Japan pulled in the USA to participate in the war. This was seen as an opportunity by Bose and he appreciated Japan for its bravery. He then wanted to get out of Germany as soon as possible which played an active role in the war. Thus Hitler accepted for him to leave in a submarine to Madagascar where the Japanese submarine would receive him covert and get him to Japan. He lived in exile here after trying all the ways possible to get India her independence.

Gandhi finally adopted the Purna Swaraj and began his quit India movement where he uses his famous slogan, ‘Do or Die’. Bose’s main contribution tends to be the INA. Even in India, the Indian faujs had begun to rebel the Britishers and follow Bose. Bose adopted, ‘Jana Gana Mana’ as the national song for his army. The Flag of tri colour was also developed in the army with the infuriated tiger in place of Ashoka chakra. All these contributions leave behind Bose in the hearts of Indians alive!

Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj (very strong then) could sweep off the British army in India which immersed British in fear. They couldn’t win against such a tight placed army. Moreover Britain was already affected in the World War 2, which limited its power and resources to be ready for another war with one of the colonies as big as India. If we look deeper into the history, there arises a question, why should the British leave India? If they wanted to prolong their ruling, they could have. Then why? Because they had enough of India already. There was nothing else left in India except for the illiteracy, low standard of living, drains instead of wealth etc. They had no purpose to lighten India from the darks after their need was fulfilled. Also, they couldn’t afford to pay salaries to the Indian workers as the taxation was at its lowest in Britain due to the war. The loss of power from the conservative party to labour party also can be seen as a reason for granting independence to India.

The European society (people) began to think of colonialism as a crime and hurting the citizens of those colonies as violation of human rights. This supported the Indian cause to some extent. The institution of UN also supported anti colonialism which bound the hands of Britain to give independence to the colonies. America was against colonies so that it could enrich its trade in the colonies too. The growing nationalism in India and the control of Indian national army, also adds to the pressure on the British. The conditions in that era and the combination of many factors led to the scope of independence to India.