Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 Mahatma Gandhi - His Attitude Towards Netaji and Indian National Army Dr. Shridhar Charan Sahoo
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the armed assistance in Germany and South East foremost leaders of the Indian Freedom Asia. Even, He had no hesitation to seek help movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. But in from fascist powers like Germany and Italy course of time, he lost his faith that only who during the time were fighting the British. through the Gandhian As it were “Under the Strategy of non- soul-stirring leadership Violence, India could of Netaji Subhas achieve its freedom Chandra Bose, the from British rule. Indian National Army Unlike other popular launched a frontal leaders of the attack as an integrated movement, he force smashing all dreamt of the barriers of religion, freedom of the caste and creed”. country by waging a What was the war against the precise attitude of the British. During the Mahatma towards Second World War, Netaji and his Indian he made a daring and National Army which thrilling escape from took a different path the country eluding from his strategy of British Intelligence non- Violence? This and formed an Indian divergence in strategy and means and, National Army outside the country to fight methods of struggle in the context of India’s for India’s Freedom. In fact, for his sole life struggle for freedom has led sometimes to a mission to free India from British bondage, dichotomous presentation and perception he left no stone unturned in his quest for of Gandhi –Subhas relationship as if they
OCTOBER - 2019 56 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 were two parallel lines without any meeting went through but he, in his life, verified the point. saying of Tulsidas that all becomes right for The present article is an attempt to the brave.” read between the lines and understand these While on the subject, one should two men of destiny who inspite of their also read between the lines of Abul Kalam divergence had their mutual regard, love and Azad’s book “India Wins Freedom” Said respect for each other. Abul Kalam Azad : “I also saw that Subhas The perspective adhered to is not Bose’s escape to Germany had made a that of a diehard critic but that of an objective great impression on Gandhiji. He had not and sympathetic mindset which seeks to formerly approved many of Bose’s actions analyze and understand them with a broader but now I found a change in his outlook. and deeper vision. Many of his remarks convinced me that he admired the courage and resourcefulness THE GREAT ESCAPE AND THE Subhas Bose had displayed in making his MAHATMA escape from India. Reading between the lines Many in India thought that Subhas of Gandhiji’s own statement and that of Abul Bose’s escape from India to Germany and Kalam Azad one would never fail to see “that South East Asia had distressed Gandhiji. Gandhiji never disapproved of his (Bose’s) This, however, seems to be far from the truth action because he knew that Subhas Bose’s eventhough Gandhi maintained that we activities abroad could only supplement and should not seek any other power’s help to greatly strengthen the work of national free India from the British Yoke. This in his emancipation. view, would not be a non-violent approach. Netaji’s Struggle Abroad and The Gandhi’s attitude to Subhas’s dramatic Congress Movement escape “and his “heroic exploits in the cause of country’s liberation” is best explained in Subhas also considered his struggle his own words: “ Netaji by great strategy in Germany and South East Asia “as a gave the slip to the guard put over him by continuation of the work of the national the Government of Bengal and by sheer Congress in India and never for a moment courage and resourcefulness reached Kabul did he think that his activities were in anyway and passed through European countries, opposed to those of the Indian National finally found himself in Japan, collected from Congress whose devoted worker he had scattered material an army of brilliant young always been. He felt and he also said so in men drawn from all communities and from his many statements that his movement and all parts of India, and dared to give battle to the Quit India Movement in India ran parallel a mighty Government. A lesser man would and horizontal to each other. Therefore he have succumbed under the trials that Netaji unreservedly extended his fullest support to
OCTOBER - 2019 57 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 the Congress activities in India from his India was to supplement from outside the Radio broadcasts. In a broadcast from Azad struggle going on at home”. Hind Radio, Germany on August 31, 1942 The Mahatma and His Estimate of Subhas described the Quit India Movement Netaji as “India’s epic struggle” and kept the outside world informed about all events in Unlike many others Gandhiji never India and tried to secure sympathy and help cast aspersion on Subhas’s motives or for India’s struggle for freedom. He appealed imputed the taint of Fascism to him. This he his countrymen to trust him and his did not do even after Subhas openly joined countrymen abroad who were working the Axis Powers during the Second World “heart and soul” with them for the speedy War. In fact, Gandhi had absolutely no liberation of India . That he considered his reservation about his patriotism. Regarding movement to be never opposed to but rather his love for the country and his determination complementary to the Quit India Movement to achieve its freedom Gandhi considered is further testified from his broadcast from Subhas as “ second to none” His sincerity Berlin on October 12, 1942. Said Subhas: according to him was “ transparent” and he “Nobody has fought Gandhi so hard since adored his “spirit of self – sacrifice and 1939 as I and my party in the Congress have. suffering”. This estimate of Bose during their But today all distinctions between the Right last meeting at sewagram in June, 1940 and Left within the Indian National Congress continued even after he had openly sided have disappeared and the Indian people with the Axis powers. As it were, Gandhiji stand united in their demand for immediate spoke in “glowing terms” about Subhas independence.” and his services to India in a condolence Assuring his all out support to the when there was a news flash that he had died Congress movement at home Subhas said:” in an air-crash. This defied the understanding All Indians outside India who are not living of Cripps who complained to Abul Kalam in countries directly under the control of our Azad that he had not expected a man like enemies have now been brought together into Gandhi to speak in such glowing terms about one well-knit organization. They are closely Subhas who was a “confirmed believer in following developments in India and on the violence” and had openly sided with Axis other hand, they are keeping unimpeded powers.” contact with international events. They are Louis Fischer, an American making all possible preparations to bring at Journalist, equally expressed his sense of the right time the maximum assistance to you shock and surprise about Gandhiji’s telegram who have been carrying on this struggle at of condolence for Subhas’s reported death home inspite of internment, persecution and and his regret for the demise of a man who brutality “In fact, Bose’s object in leaving went to fascist Germany and collaborated
OCTOBER - 2019 58 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 with it. Gandhiji, however, defended Bose regard for the Mahatma. This continued as “a patriot of patriots” “He may be undimmed inspite of what has been described misguided I think he is misguided, I have as Gandhiji’s “extremely unreasonable and often opposed Bose. Twice I kept him from hostile attitude” during the Tripuri crisis. This becoming President of Congress. Finally, respect and regard for Gandhi becomes he did become President, although my views evident time and again in his broadcast often differed from him. But suppose he had speeches from Germany and South East gone to Russia or to America to ask aid for Asia. A few extracts from his broadcast India. Would that have made it better?”. speeches would confirm this. In his broadcast When Louis Fischer pointed out that “it does address from Bangkok on October 2, 1943 make a difference to whom you go” Gandhiji Bose said : “This day Indians all over the said: “I do not want help from anybody to world are celebrating the 75th birth make Indian free “and wanted India to help anniversary of their Greatest Leader herself ? “What is more significant for our Mahatma Gandhi. It is customary on such purpose is to note that Gandhi was not at all an occasion to relate the life experiences of prepared to pay attention to Fischer’s the man whom we honour and to whom we apprehension that Subhas with his youth and pay our homage of love and respect… I “Propensity for dramatic action” might shall, instead, devote myself to an estimation succumb to the lure of fascism and make of the place of Mahatmaji in the history of India a free but fascist country whereby India India’s struggle for Independence. The would be worse off than British Rule. On service which Mahatma Gandhi has rendered the other hand, Gandhi turns the table to to India and to the cause of India’s freedom British Rule and does not hesitate to is so unique and unparallelled that his name condemn it on the same score. “There are will be written in letters of gold in our national powerful elements of Fascism in British rule” history for all time” “The nearest historical Gandhiji exclaimed “and in India these are parallel to Mahatma Gandhi is perhaps the elements which we see and feel every Mustafa Kemal Pasha who saved Turkey day. If the British wish to document their right after her defeat in the last world war and to win the war and make the world better who was acclaimed by the Turks as the they must purify themselves by surrendering Ghazi.” “Since 1920 the Indian people have learnt two things from Mahatma Gandhi power in India.” which are the indispensable preconditions for Netaji’s Respect and Regard For The the attainment of independence. They have, Mahatma first of all learnt national self-respect and self- Though Subhas did not see eye to confidence as a result of which revolutionary eye with Gandhi as regards the means and fervour is now blazing in their hearts. methods of struggle to achieve Secondly, they have now got a countrywide independence, he had great respect and organization which reaches the remotest
OCTOBER - 2019 59 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 villages of India” “Mahatma Gandhi has firmly touch the like of which is not found in the planted our feet on the straight road to liberty. whole body of literature on Subhas and He and other leaders are now rotting behind Gandhi. First of all Subhas explained the the prison bars. The task Mahatma Gandhi attitude of overseas Indians towards Gandhi. began has, therefore, to be accomplished by He said: “Ever since you sponsored the his countrymen at home and abroad” Subhas Independence Resolution at the Lahore paid an emotional and touching tribute to Congress in December 1929, all members Srimati Kasturba Gandhi who died in British of the Indian National Congress have had custody in Poona. He called her “mother to one common goal before them. For Indians the Indian people” and expressed his outside India you are the creator of the “deepest sympathy for Gandhi in his present awakening in the country. The high bereavement”. esteem in which you are held by patriotic Indians outside India, and by foreign friends Subhas also took the British of India’s freedom, was increased a hundred Government to task which subjected – fold when you bravely sponsored the “Quit Mahatma to mental anguish and torture by India” Resolution in August 1942." Trying not releasing Kasturba on Humanitarian and to convince Gandhi on his fateful decision to medical grounds. As we know, it ultimately escape from India in a very polite manner, cost her life. Said Subhas : “I can only express Subhas said : “ I can assure you, Mahatmaji, my contempt for those brutes who profess that before I finally decided to set out on this to fight for freedom, justice and morality and hazardous mission, I spent days, weeks and yet perpetuate such cold-blooded murder … months in carefully considering the pros and No amount of mental torture and physical cons of the case. After having served my suffering that the British can and may inflict people so long to the best of my ability I on Mahatma Gandhi or the Indian nation will could have no desire to be a traitor or to make him budge an inch from the stand he give any one a justification for calling me a has taken. Mahatma Gandhi called upon the traitor.” He continued : “By going on a British to quit India and save India from the perilous quest, I was risking not only my life horrors of modern war. The insolent reply and my whole future career, but what was more, the future of my party. If I had the of the British was to throw him into prison slightest hope that without action from like an ordinary criminal. abroad we could win freedom, I would never Netaji’s broadcast message to have left India during a crisis. If I had any Gandhiji from Azad Hind Radio on July 6, hope that within our life time we could get 1944 is an important historical document another chance-another golden opportunity concerning Subhas Gandhi relationship. This – for winning freedom as during the present message breathes the language of the heart war, I doubt if I would have set out from and is characterized by a personal and natural home.”
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Subhas assured the Mahatma that chance our countrymen at home should he was on his guard and was not the man to succeed in liberating themselves through their be deceived or befooled by the Axis powers. own efforts, or if by any chance the British He said : “I believe it will be universally Government accepts your “Quit India admitted that the cleverest and most cunning resolution and gives effect to it. We are, politicians are to be found among Britishers. however, proceeding on the assumption that One who had worked with and fought British neither of the above is possible and that an politicians all his life can not be deceived by armed struggle is inevitable”. With an any other politicians in the world. If British emotional and personal appeal to Gandhiji, politicians have failed to coax or coerce me, Bose concluded : “India’s last war of no other politicians can succeed in doing so.” independence has begun. Troops of the Azad Subhas further brought home to the Hind Fauj are now fighting bravely on the Mahatma that “ he has never done anything soil of India, and inspite of all difficulty and which could compromise in the least either hardship they are pushing forward slowly but the honour or the self –respect or interest of steadily. This armed struggle will go on until India”. Trying to explain and rationalize his the last Britisher is thrown out of India and strategy of befriending Japan he said: “There until our Tricolour flag proudly floats over was a time when Japan was an ally of our the viceroy’s House in new-Delhi. enemy. I did not come to Japan so long as Father of our nation ! In this holy there was an Anglo-Japanese alliance. I did war of India’s Liberation, we ask for your not come to Japan so long as normal blessings and good wishes.” We do not diplomatic relations obtained between the know whether Gandhiji heard this two countries. It was only after Japan took broadcast but “one feels that his what I considered to be the most momentous bleesings were always with Bose. step in her history, namely, declaration of war on Britain and America that I decided to The Mahatma and The Indian National visit Japan of my own free will”. He gave an Army (I.N.A) assurance to Gandhi that it was not craze At the end of the war (1945-46) for power, pelf or personal ambition that when the I.N.A. soldiers were brought to rankled in their mind. He said: “ The only India from different theatres of War for trial reward that we desire for our efforts, for our at Red Fort, Gandhiji had no hesitation to suffering and for our sacrifice is the freedom visit the I.N.A. prisoners to have personal of our motherland. There are many among knowledge about the heroic exploits of Bose us who would like to retire from the political and his army of liberation . He significantly field, once India is free”. noted that his visit to the I.N.A. men in Subhas continued, “Nobody would detention was “a matter of duty”. After this be more happy than ourselves, if by any visit to I.N.A. prisoners Gandhiji had no
OCTOBER - 2019 61 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 hesitation or scruple to pay glowing tributes of high imperial policy. Subhas’s organization to Subhas and his Indian National Army even of the I.N.A. demonstrated that the Indian though he basically differed from the latter’s soldiers could no longer be so kept away means and methods. He hailed Subhas as from the current of nationalism. Gandhi “a National Hero” and the “Netaji” of India. recognized this significant and “signal service” In his post – public prayer address of Subhas who gave the Indian soldiers a on 8.4.46 Gandhiji touchingly observed new vision and a new ideal.” This surprising “Netaji was like a son to me. I came to know change from a purely mercenary orientation him as a lieutenant full of promise under the to that of a nationalist orientation which late Deshabandhu Das. His last message to Subhas could succeed to bring about in the the I.N.A. was that, whilst on foreign soil I.N.A. had its contagious impact on the they had fought with arms, on their return to British Indian soldiers in India during the India they would have to serve the country former’s trial at Redfort. “The agitation as soldiers of non-violence under the against their trial when the war was over, guidance and leadership of the Congress.” together with the 1946 mutiny in the Indian Gandhiji, moreover admired the spirit of unity Navy, seemed to suggest that the British infused by Bose into his I.N.A. He observed: could not rely much longer on the Indian “Though the I.N.A. failed in their immediate forces to keep India under British Rule. This objective they have a lot to their credit of realization, more than anything else, which they might well be proud. Greatest probably enabled British minds to accept the among these was to gather together under inevitability of Indian Independence. one banner men from all religions and races Gandhi drew lessons of self- of India and to infuse into them the spirit of sacrifice, unity and discipline from Netaji and solidarity and oneness to the utter exclusion his army of liberation. of all communal or parochial sentiment. It is He rightly observed: “the lesson that an example which we should all emulate”. Netaji and his Army bring to us is one of No greater tribute could be paid to self-sacrifice, unity irrespective of class and Netaji than that from Mahatma Himself community and discipline. If our adoration “Netaji’s name is one to conjure with. His will be wise and discriminating, we will rightly patriotism is second to none. His bravery copy this trinity of virtues… Then we will be shines through all his actions… His was a able to stand erect before the world.” life full of perilous adventure and romance… Seven days before his unfortunate His daring was unequalled. assassination Gandhiji reminded the nation The British Indian Soldiers were again to follow Netaji’s ideal of national unity. deliberately kept away and segregated from The occasion was Netaji’s birth day the popular currents of nationalism as a matter celebration on 23.1.48 “I do not remember”
OCTOBER - 2019 62 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 said Gandhiji, “the birthday of any person, I feel awe-struck how could he escape from nor do I attach any importance to it” but then India by throwing dust into the eyes of the he remarked that there was a “special Britishers? He staked everything for the reason” to take note of Subhas Babu’s freedom of the country.” For a minute, the Birthday. Gandhi would not at all forget that Mahatma appeared to suddenly lapse into “it was Subhas Babu who knew no dead silence… and then said “I believe provincialism nor communal differences. He Subhas is alive. He is hiding somewhere. had in his brave Army men and women Even if somebody shows me the ashes, still drawn from all over India without distinction I will not believe that Subhas is not alive”. and evoked affection and loyalty which very Describing Mahatma’s reaction to Tokyo few have been able to evoke.” In memory Radio’s announcement about Netaji’s death of that “ great patriot,” Gandhi asked the in an alleged air-crash on August 23, 1945. nation to “cleanse their hearts of all communal Sri Guha writes : “… the Mahatma asked bitterness.” It is unfortunate that no attention the Bose family not to perform any “sradha” has yet been given to the words of Gandhi ceremony but to “hold mild prayers.” and Netaji’s name is hardly cited to put Gandhiji said in a public statement later on before the people the great contribution of January 2, 1946; “I believe Netaji is alive. this great patriot. He is hiding somewhere”. He repeated this Samar Guha in his book “The belief many times publicly in 1946… It Mahatma and the Netaji” has stated that after appeared in late 1945 and early 1946 that 1945, “the emotion of Gandhi was found to the Mahatma was eagerly longing for the be swayed by his deep admiration and reappearance of Subhas”. affection for Subhas ! Giving an eye-witness account of Mahatma’s attitude towards Mahatma Gandhi was not at Delhi Subhas, Sri Guha writes: “In December, to attend to the celebration of the transfer of 1945, Gandhi came to see the senior power on August 15, 1947. He was then at colleagues and followers of Subhas in the Calcutta in his peace mission “when the Dum Dum Jail of Calcutta… whole of the divided parts of India were burning in communal conflagration”. Looking The Mahatma talked to the detenus to the desperate communal situation in the for over an hour and mainly on Subhas. The country, “the Mahatma told Netaji’s elder Mahatma was found to become visibly brother Sarat Bose after leaving a deep sigh emotional when he talked about Subhas. He “only Subhas could save the country today”. touched his head with his forefingers when his eyes were found gleaming as he said very Taking into account Gandhiji’s feelingly; “Netaji ! What a Bahadur he is ! attitude to Subhas after the last Great War,
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Samar Guha contends that “ if Subhas could 6. Louis Fischer, A week with Gandhi, (London come back to his motherland after the last : George Allen and Unwin Ltd., 1943.) Great War the Father of the Nation would 7. Kali Charan Ghosh, Netaji on Mahatmaji, have welcomed the Netaji of the Indian Modern Review, Vol-LXXXVII No.2 people as his new heir apparent.” One has Feb,1950. enough reasons to believe that the Mahatma 8. B.K. Ahluwalia and Shashi Ahluwalia, Netaji would possibly have welcomed Netaji. But and Gandhi (Preface), Indian Academic should he have declared Subhas as his new Publishers, New Delhi, 1982. heir apparent ? One can not really afford to 9. Edited P.N. Chopra, India’s Struggle for Freedom, Role of Associated Movements, be so categoric as to say that Gandhi, who Vol.-111, Agam Prakashan Delhi, 1985. had already declared Nehru as his political 10. M.K. Gandhi, “Non-violence in peace and heir, should have changed his mind to put War” (Navajivan Publishing House, the mantle on Subhas’s head. Taken as a Ahmedabad, 1949.) whole, Gandhi preferred Nehru to Bose. 11. Chattar Singh Samra, Subhas Chandra Bose, Talking about Nehru, Gandhiji said “as for An Indian National Hero, Leadership and political Institutions in India, Edited R.L. Jawaharlal, we know that neither of us can Park and Irene Tinker (Princeton University do without the other, for there is a heart union Press, Princeton, 1959). between us which no intellectual difference 12. Bose/Werth/Ayer, A Beacon Across Asia, can break”. Orient Longman, 1973. 13. Samar Guha, “The Mahatma and The Netaji, References: Two men of Destiny of India” ( S t e r l i n g 1. Girija K. Mookerjee, Subhas Chandra Bose, Publishers Private Ltd., New Delhi 1986.) Publication Division,Government of India, 14. Samar Guha ‘Subhas was ideologically” 1984. nearer to Gandhi than Nehru’. 2. Harijan dated 22.2.42, edited Yusuf The Telegraph, 23rd January, 1987, Vol-V, Meherally, Quit India by Mahatma Gandhi, No.195. (Padma Publications Ltd, Bombay, 1942.) 15. D.G. Tendulkar, “Mahatma, Life of 3. Private papers of Subhas Chandra Bose, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi”, Volume- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose sixty seventh V, 1938-1940 (Publications Division, Birth Anniversary, special postage stamps, Government of India, 1969. 23rd January, 1964, (National Archives of India, New Delhi. 4. Abul Kalam Azad, “India wins freedom”, Orient Longman, 1959. 5. Selected speeches of Subhas Chandra Bose, Publications Division, Government of India, Dr. Shridhar Charan Sahoo, Retired Principal, May 1983. Ravenshaw Junior College, Cuttack.
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