Freedom for Blood

On 6 July 1944, Netaji gave a fiery speech on the Azad Hind Radio before beginning his fight against the British. He addressed Gandhi as the “The Father of the Nation” for the first time seeking his blessings. Gandhi’s ideas were opposed to his, this radio was funded by Japan, the army was stationed in Singapore- Subhas Chandra Bose was a convoluted persona.

Netaji getting off the plane as the President of the Indian National Congress; Source- Wikimedia Commons

Subhas had everything one could wish for. A rich family, access to education in premiere schools, academic excellence and yet, he wasn’t content. Subhash knew something bigger awaited him and his purpose did not lay in this life of comfort.

What made him think the way was his inability to follow authority blindly, a quality that would remain with him throughout his life.

Born on 23 January 1897, Subhas Chandra Bose was a leading figure of the Indian nationalist struggle who has captured the minds of people in the most fascinating ways. His complex legacy, different approach towards gaining independence, and death shrouded with a mystery make him something akin to an enigma.

A subdued rage and fierceness always had a place in Subhas’ heart. This fire burned the British but sometimes he himself barely managed to get away from him unscathed.

The alleged beating of a professor over his ridiculous statement on Indians clearly gives away how interested Bose was in challenging hierarchies. His way to counter his country’s disrespect wasn’t ideal- an ordeal that would haunt his legacy.

The next phase of his rebellion was marked with a grand beginning. At the insistence of his father, Subhas was sent to England to give the Civil Services exam. He secured a distinction in the paper, an extremely rare feat, but refused to go ahead with the process.

A boy from a well-established family giving up a potential job in the civil services was nothing less than scandalous but Bose wanted to serve the nation and dedicate his life to the cause of freedom.

Now back in India with a newfound purpose, Subhas got into the nationalist movement that was led by Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. His first mentor was Chittaranjan Das, a well-respected leader and lawyer who played a significant role in sculpting his personality. Bose in a way came to represent the new generation of Congress leaders who were not satisfied with mere reforms and believed in the ideals of sovereignty and socialism.

Slowly and steadily he climbed the rungs to become the president of the party but not all was well.

He was in a constant contestation with Gandhi over the latter’s strict aversion to using violence as a means to achieve freedom and this personal difference of opinion eventually created a rift with Congress.

The situation turned out to be that Bose had to resign from his position but this did not stop him from creating the All India Forward Bloc within the INC with the aim to unify the Indian left. His ideas of solidarity even extend to Britain where he engaged in talks with the members of the Labour Party.

The big turning point in his life came with the beginning of the Second World War. Bose organised a wide-scale Civil Disobedience Movement to challenge Britain to declare war on India’s behalf. Another demand of his was to remove the English memorial made to commemorate the Black Hole Incident. The Colonial regime now decided to put him under house arrest and strict surveillance. Subash was not willing to sit back and wait.

His escape from India puts any thriller to shame. Bose grew a beard, dressed up as Pathan and successfully managed to reach Peshawar. A huge hurdle in the journey ahead was language as he did not know Pashto and a Pathan not understanding it would certainly blow his cover. His friends suggested he play dumb and deaf and this is how he reached Afghanistan.

His next destination was Russia and Bose travelled to Moscow under the guise of an Italian nobleman, Count Orlando Mazzotta. He was sure that the Soviet Union would aid India in the quest for independence owing to their animosity with the British but Subash did not receive a positive response. Dejected and disappointed, he now travelled to Germany and finally found the assistance he was looking for.

Subhas agreed to take help from Nazi Germany, a state involved in the targeted genocide of millions. This certainly raises questions about his legacy.

He got associated with the Special Bureau for India that swore fealty to both Bose and Hitler. With 3,000 Indian Prisoners of War as a part of his Azad Hind Legion, Bose decided to invade British India. While the plan itself was highly improbable, he was further disillusioned by Germany.

Once again, a disappointed Bose left for imperial Japan to seek help. With their aid, he formed the First Indian National Army alongside Rash Behari Bose.

The road ahead was not difficult and this force eventually got disbanded. But Subhas was not someone who could give up this easily, He again reorganised troops for the Azad Hind Movement, which was backed up by the Allies.

On one hand, the Japanese were attacking Indians and on the other, the INA was fighting off the British in Burma. With the victory of the Allies and the surrender of Japan, the INA also ceased to exist. Its troops were sent to India and put on trial for treason against the Empire.

Bose did not survive for long after. On 18th August 1945, the Japanese plane that was sitting in crashed.

The overloaded plane’s engine backfired as soon as it took off and the propeller went out of control. Now completely imbalanced, the plane came crashing down and burst into flames. Three members of the Japanese army were instantly killed and Bose got drenched in gasoline. He tried to leave the aircraft through the back door along with his assistant Habibur Rahman but it was blocked by luggage. Both of them decided to make a dash to safety or death and ran through the burning flames.

The gasoline on his body turned Bose into a human torch and he died due to severe third-degree burns after he was rushed to the hospital.

The INA was stunned and could not believe their leader had faced this tragic end. Great sorrow was felt even by his political opponents who had deep disproval of him seeking support from fascist Japan and Nazi Germany. Many did not accept his death.

Theories about his escape from the crash, or the crash itself being staged and Bose living his life as Gumnami Baba keep resurfacing.

Perhaps, this is the great legacy of Subhas Chandra Bose, for all that he did for that nation, people wanted to live. Seeking help from the regimes who oppress millions and inflict violence on innocents is certainly not the right way to resist colonialism. While Bose’s commitment and zeal are an inspiration, his questionable ways also serve as an example of what not to do.