The initiatives of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose are finding utterance in history textbooks with prominence
It is an annual ritual. Come January 23, the whole nation pays tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his avid followers raise their voices for the inclusion of his initiatives for India’s independence in school syllabus. This year, the voices became shriller with the West Bengal Education minister Bratya Basu stating that the government would recommend to the syllabus committee to include in the school curriculum Netaji’s struggle for Indian independence. Not just that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji at India Gate on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of the nationalistic leader.
For years, a debate has been raging with staunch followers of Netaji stating that he was relegated to the background and has not been given his due in school textbooks while leaders like Nehru, Abul Kalam Azad and others find mention in abundance. Speaking on the occasion of unveiling the hologram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Country is correcting ‘mistakes’ made after independence. While there is no doubt that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose made supreme sacrifices his efforts were ignored,” aver followers.
The Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi with non-violence as the main weapon did not find resonance with Netaji who found his political strategies especially ‘Ahimsa’ ambiguous. Differences they had and Netaji parted ways and was also resigned from Indian National Congress but when Netaji constituted four regiments in Indian National Army (INA) he named three of them after Gandhi, Nehru and Maulana Azad.
Opinions may be divided but there is no denying the fact that he stood his ground amidst towering leaders and escaped to Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union and from there to Japan all along mobilising forces to fight against the British. History lessons leave an indelible mark on students and every leader irrespective of ideology needs to be read. The time, it seems has come, albeit late on the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to find utterance.