New Delhi, August 18: The story of India’s independence is not solely tied to satyagraha, non-violence, and movements. It also encompasses the tale of a young man who left a prestigious position under British rule to join the freedom struggle. This is the story of courage that broke through the walls of detention, undertook perilous journeys, and sought support for India’s independence among the world’s warring powers.
Subhas Chandra Bose, known as Netaji, embodies this indomitable spirit. On August 18, 1945, news broke of his death in a plane crash, yet questions surrounding that day persist. The mystery of what truly happened continues to make his story one of the most discussed chapters in history.
Born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha, Bose was the son of prominent lawyer Janakinath Bose, who was honored with the title ‘Rai Bahadur’ and later became a member of the Bengal Legislative Council. His mother was Prabhavati Devi. An exceptionally talented and disciplined student, he earned a BA in Philosophy from Presidency College in Kolkata. During his student years, he was deeply influenced by the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda, whom he regarded as his spiritual guru.
The discrimination faced by Indians under British rule ignited a rebellious spirit within him. In 1916, a confrontation with British professor E.F. Otten over alleged racial comments towards Indian students marked his emergence as an anti-British youth. Subsequently, he was expelled from Presidency College. His father envisioned a career in civil service for him, and Bose traveled to England to take the Indian Civil Service exam. He secured fourth place and achieved the highest marks in English. However, he chose freedom over government service, resigning from the ICS in April 1921 to return to India.
Upon his return, he joined the Congress party and quickly became a prominent figure in youth politics. He was arrested for protesting against the visit of the Prince of Wales to India in 1921. Bose rose rapidly within the Congress, advocating for complete independence and a more aggressive strategy against British rule. He served as Congress President in 1938 and 1939, but growing differences with Mahatma Gandhi and senior leaders over strategy and non-violence led to his resignation.
With the onset of World War II, Bose opposed the use of Indian resources and soldiers to aid Britain. In September 1939, the British government declared India a belligerent nation without consulting Indian leaders, prompting the resignation of Congress provincial governments in protest. Bose intensified the movement against British rule during the war, leading to his arrest. After a hunger strike deteriorated his health, he was released but placed under house arrest.
In 1941, Bose mysteriously escaped British surveillance, reaching Kabul before heading to Europe. In November 1941, his voice reached Indians via German radio, reigniting enthusiasm among his supporters and revolutionaries. He adopted a strategy of seeking alliances with Axis powers like Germany and Japan during World War II. In 1943, he undertook a perilous journey from Germany to East Asia, navigating through submarines and treacherous seas to reach Japan.
Once in East Asia, Bose took command of the Indian National Army (INA), which had been formed in 1942 through the efforts of Rash Behari Bose. On October 21, 1943, he proclaimed the Azad Hind Government, renaming the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as ‘Shaheed’ and ‘Swaraj,’ respectively. The INA established units such as the Subhas Brigade, Azad Brigade, and Gandhi Brigade.
Bose aimed to enter India from the eastern front and expel the British. The INA marched alongside the Japanese army towards India’s borders, with soldiers rallying under the cry, “Delhi Chalo.” The moment they set foot on Indian soil was emotional, as they touched and kissed the ground. However, the tide of war soon shifted. Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered, and the INA’s campaign came to a halt.
In August 1945, news emerged of Bose’s death in a plane crash in Taiwan. Yet, questions about his fate continue to arise. Numerous theories about his survival and whereabouts have surfaced since then. The Indian government formed committees to investigate the circumstances of his death. In May 1956, the Shah Nawaz Committee traveled to Japan to probe the matter, but the Indian government could not seek assistance from Taiwan due to a lack of diplomatic relations.
Later, the Mukherjee Commission’s report was presented to Parliament on May 17, 2006. The report stated that Bose did not die in the plane crash and that the ashes kept at the Renkoji Temple were not his. However, the Indian government did not accept the commission’s findings.
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