THE DISTORTION OF NETAJI

 

THE DISTORTION OF NETAJI
Another   attempt by RSS/Modi combine to divide the country and create perception of a rift between Gandhi/Nehru and Netaji. Another attempt to steal freedom icons, to compensate for the lack any one of their ilk, of any stature, and contribution to national cause, over the last hundred years or more. This is similar to their attempts to steal Patel and  Tagore.

Firstly, it needs to be mentioned, unequivocally, that all these three stalwarts were staunch votaries of religious tolerance and equality. None of them had any ideas that were whatsoever similar to the ideology of the RSS! In fact, it was diametrically opposite.
Netaji had an exemplary tract record standing up for communal harmony. He was not sympathetic to the Hindutav cause.  He called the Hindu Mahasaba as extremist whose ideals were against the idea of India!!

Now about the attempt to pitch Gandhi/Nehru as enemies and against each other. It’s a matter of historical record that Nehru and Netaji were very thick friends. Netaji always had a room in his house called Nehru room. It is still there.  Both Gandhi and Nehru looked up to Netaji whenever there was a communal issue that needed astute solutions.  An interesting case is narrated in one of Netaji’s autobiographies.  Netaji, while addressing his troops of the Azad Hind Sena, somewhere abroad, told his men and women that once they win and march into India, it will be Gandhi who will their Commander in chief. He even named regiments in the INA after Nehru and Gandhi. Such were their mutual respect.

Now let’s look at the lies that Netaji was ignored, post-independence. Not so. There are numerous statues build everywhere in his honour. Almost every state has numerous roads, stadium etc named after him. He received as much attention as others but less than Gandhi and Nehru, due to their pre-eminent role in the freedom movement and thereafter. Netaji, in fact, never returned to an Independent India and his actions are shrouded in mystery

Therefore, this narration is not to respect Netaji but to project an ideological doctrine, that was rejected by all who were anyone during the freedom movement, by pedalling lies by using all modern media savvy techniques. Nowhere does Modi mention about the values Netaji stood for. He only points finger at others to gain brownie points.

Lastly, lets also look at Netaji’s actions, so that we do not lose sight of the context. Am giving a simple uncomplicated narration.
Netaji believed that freedom can be got only using force, to wage war against the British. This was against what all others in the freedom struggle like Gokhale, Tilak , Maulana Asad, Ambedkar, Gandhi, Nehru, to name a few, felt. Netaji could not win much of a support. He decided to create his own army, the Azad Hind sena. He left India as the British was after him for his plan to wage war. In modern times he could be called a terrorist!! He tried a lot to get support across the world. He asked for help from Hitler, Mussolini, and even Japan. The former two rejected his pleas while Japan helped. Rest is history. This means his role in the freedom struggle was thus not instrumental in getting freedom.  He surely was a patriot and who loved the country but to pit him above the leaders who won freedom for us not only distorts history but also does injustice to such a courageous and honest patriot.

India’s historic freedom struggle cannot be erased from its past. Dictators and extremists may try their best to remove the icons of our freedom struggle and replace them by whom they want. World history is replete with such failed attempts. They may succeed to some extend for some time but events will overtake and balance will be achieved. Jai Hind!