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FREEDOM MOVEMENT
Eternal India
encyclopedia
every country in Europe, but he did not go to
Soviet Russia. He visited Berlin and Rome
several times and met the top hierarchy of the
Nazi and Fascist parties. In Rome he was re-
ceived by Mussolini several times. He asked
the German rulers 'when they would strike at
Britain, so that we might also take up arms
simultaneously against the British.'
Bose mooted the formation of a political
party and Samyavadi Sangh with
emphasis on the interests of peas-
ants and workers, complete politi-
cal and economical liberation of
the Indian people, a strong central
government and state planning.
On April 8,1936 he returned to
India to attend the Lucknow Con-
gress Session. In Calcutta on July
3, 1940 Subhas with a group of
volunteers marched to the Holwell
monument, which had stood in
Calcutta for 150 years as a re-
minder of slavery and humiliation.
They had planned to demolish it.
But he was arrested the previous
day under section 129 of the De-
fence of India rules and taken to
the Presidency jail.
Bose had decided to make use
of the World War condition to his
advantage. He would escape from
India and join the enemies of Britain
seeking their assistance for India's
freedom. On November 29 he
began a fast unto death.
Physical restrictions on his movements
suited Bose. He had to prepare his plans for
the escape from India in the strictest seclusion
and secrecy.
On January 16, 1940 at midnight Bose
escaped from Jiouse arrest, disguised as a
Muslim. For a year nobody knew where he
had gone. The mystery was cleared when
Bose began his broadcasts over Berlin Radio.
When Bose arrived in Berlin he was entirely
on his own. At first the Germans were
extremely suspicious of him. On April 9,1941
Bose presented an exhaustive memorandum
to the German government outlining his plan
for co-operation between the Axis powers and
India. He especially requested that (1)' A Free
Indian government’ should be set up in Berlin
(2) A treaty should be entered into by the Axis
powers, with the "Free Indian government",
providing for India's independence in the
event of an Axis victory, (3) Propaganda,
particularly through the radio should be
started, calling upon the Indian people to
assert their independence, and to rise in revolt
against the British authorities. Broadcasting
would be done in the name of Free India Radio
Station. Bose's sincerity and efforts gradually
dispelled German suspicions and the foreign
office began to lend an ear to his pleas. His
presence in Berlin was kept a closely guarded
secret.
In June 1941 he paid a visit to Italy. Ger-
many invaded Russia at that time.The Ger-
man government agreed to extend the neces-
sary help to Bose. He had three immediate
objectives : (1) Forming a Free India Centre in
Berlin (2) Broadcasting to India and (3)
Raising an Indian Legion in Germany. Mone-
tary aid on the basis of a personal loan was
agreed upon. The expenses of broadcasting
and of the legion were borne entirely by
Germany.
The first meeting of the Free India Centre
was held on November 2, 1941. It was later de-
cided to adopt
JAI HIND
(Victory to India)
as the form of mutual greeting,
Netaji
(re-
vered leader) as the mode of addressing Bose,
Jana gana mana,
as the national anthem and
Hindustani written in the Roman script as the
national language.
The broadcasting was done in the name of
Azad Hind Radio.
Gaaziomain boo
rahegijab talak
imanki
Tabto Londontak chalegi tegh
Hindustanki!
(As long as the last particle of faith
exists in the soul of India's free-
dom fighters, the sword of Hindus-
tan will continue to penetrate the
heart of London.)
Its location was kept a closely
guarded secret. The establishment
of the radio coincided with the out-
break of war in South-East Asia
where the Japanese army was
scoring success*after success in all
theatres of war. Singapore, the
eastern bastion of British power,
surrendered to the Japanese army
on February 15,1942. In February
19, Bose made his first broadcast
to the Indian people. His broad-
casts became more frequent and
forceful as the tempo of the war in
the Far East increased. In May
1942, Bose visited Italy to plead
with Mussolini for an open decla-
ration in favour of India, a pro-
posal which was supported by Japan. On May
29, he met Hitler for the first time.
In early 1943 Bose left Germany for Jor-
dan due to the heavy allied raids on Berlin.
Meanwhile two more radio transmissions were
begun in the name of Congress Radio and
Azad Muslim Radio.
During this period Bose conceived the idea
of raising a national army. The presence of
Indian prisoners of war in Berlin, seems to
have made him wonder whether they would
provide excellent material for an Indian legion.
Bose was allowed to visit a POW camp at
Annaferg. Initially the prisoners were cold to
Bose. But after many visits his friendliness
and frankness won them over finally. An
Indian Legion
was formed on December 26,
1941.
Hamey sukhoko ab bhooljana padega
Watanke liye dookh uthana padega
Aiy! Azad Hindiyo utho kamar bandho
Watan lut rahe hai bachana padega.
MY POLITICAL TESTAMENT
What greater solace can there be than the feeling that
one has lived and died for a principle? What higher
satisfaction can a man possess than the knowledge that his
spirit will beget kindred spirits to carry on his unfinished
task? What better reward can a soul desire than the
certainty that his message will be wafted over hills and dales
and over the broad plains to every comer of his land and across
the
seas
to distant lands? What higher consummation can life attain than
peaceful
self-immolation at the altar of one's Cause?
Hence it is evident that nobody can lose through suffering and sacrifice. If
he does lose anything of the earth earthy, he will gain much more in return by
becoming the heir to a life immortal.
The is the technique of the soul. The individual must die, so that-the nation
may live. Today, Imustdie, so that India may live and may win freedom and
glory.
To my countrymen I say, " Forget not that the greatest curse for a man is
to remain a slave, forget not that the grossest crime is to compromise with
injustice and wrong. Remember the eternal law- You must give life, if you want
to get it. And remember that the highest virtue is to battle against iniquity,
no matter what the cost may be."
Jai Hind
August, 1945