Skip to main content

Appropriating an icon? Why is RSS-BJP "celebrating" Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

By Ram Puniyani*
On January 23, BJP-RSS organized various programmes to honour Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. In one of these programs, a clash took place leading to a curfew in Kendrapada, Orissa. In different meeting organized by BJP-RSS, an attempt was made to draw parallel between Bose and Savarkar, Bose and RSS.
Propaganda is on to show that it was on Savarkar’s suggestion that Bose undertook to tie up with axis powers (Germany and Japan). Parallels are being drawn between RSS and INA (Azad Hind Fauj). Now all attempts are on to show that Bose’s nationalism was close to that of Savarkar-RSS.
The RSS combine is trying to praise Netaji as the one who gave legitimacy to struggle for Independence against British. When did this combine realize the contributions of this great freedom fighter? Or for that matter the question comes did RSS combine ever want to struggle against British rule?
It is last few years that these attempts to identify with national icons are going on. While in case of Sardar Patel the propaganda is that, had he been the first Prime Minster of India, we would not have had Kashmir problem, we would has progressed more. The truth in this matter is that Patel and Nehru were two solid pillars of Indian Cabinet who gave foundations to Indian republic. The differences among them were of minor nature and Patel was the most trusted Cabinet colleague of Nehru.
As far as Netaji is concerned, we know that he is one of the major freedom fighters of India. He was part of the Indian National Congress most of his life and was its President of Tripura session in 1939. Within Congress he was part of the socialist group. He and Nehru had matching ideas on issues of socialism, secularism among others.
He did fallout from Congress on the issue of method of getting freedom. While Gandhi-led Congress wanted to adopt the path of non violence, Netaji did not see eye to eye on this issue. For getting freedom for India, Congress launched ‘Quit India’ movement to build anti-British pressure, and this gave boost to the freedom struggle.
During the Second World War, Netaji’s approach was to launch armed military action against the British by collaborating with axis powers (Japan and Germany), that’s how he set up INA. He also formed free India’s provisional government in Singapore on October 21, 1943. He has been a charismatic leader who was thoroughly anti-British.
Undoubtedly Congress was firm in the path of non-violence. It launched Quit India movement which was led by Mahatma Gandhi. Bose did develop some differences on the matter of fighting against the British. He resorted to tying up with fascist Germany and its ally Japan.
What were RSS and Hindu nationalists doing at this point of time? Hindutva ideologue Savarkar, the progenitor of Hindutva and Hindu nation ideology, propagated at that time that Hindu nationalists should help British in their war efforts against Japan and Germany. RSS sarsanghchalak MS Golwalkar instructed all its branches not to do anything which will annoy British and kept aloof from the anti British struggles.
So while Congress was putting pressure on British through Quit India movement, Netaji was fighting British through INA, Savarkar was proactively helping the British by helping them in recruitment for armed forces. In a way, RSS did nothing which went against the British rule. So here, with a forked tongue, Hindu nationalists on one hand were supporting the British in their war efforts (Savarkar) or keeping aloof (Golwalkar-RSS), on the other now they are eulogizing Netaji for his anti-British INA!
While Netaji was socialist, close to the ideas held by Nehru, Golwalkar went on to write that communists are internal threat to the Hindu nation. While BJP at the time of its formation used the word Gandhian socialism, it was a mere electoral jumla (gimmick). The ideology and actions of Netaji and Hindu nationalists-RSS were poles apart. So why are they projecting him today? Why are they trying show similarities which are not there?
Essentially, as RSS did not participate in freedom movement, it does not have any national icon. RSS’ Atal Bihari Vajpayee at that time was a young college student who during Quit India movement was jailed by mistake; he apologized and got himself released. Savarkar, since he was anti-British before being imprisoned in Andman jail,/has been glorified as the brave warrior by prefixing Veer (brave) to his name. He also apologized to the British and got released from the jail.
Mostly the communal nationalists, Muslim League-Hindu Mahasabha-RSS, never took anti-British stance. This should be the defining point for Indian nationalism. Congress and Bose were anti-British to the core, so their nationalism in a way has similar wave length despite some differences.
When INA of Bose was being tried by British for their anti-war actions against the British, it was the likes of Nehru who defended the INA; none from the Hindu nationalist camp came forward to defend Bose and his colleagues during the trial by British. It is only for electoral reasons that now RSS-BJP need to identify with the likes of Patel and Bose. They are actively trying to dig up some points here and there to get a ride on the back of legends like Patel and Bose.
So far Sardar Patel has been projected and now it’s Netaji’s turn! Their central opposition is to Indian nationalism. They vilify Nehru, who stood rock solid in defense of secularism and democracy. Since RSS wants to oppose the Nehru legacy and Congress on electoral ground, it keeps propping up icons like these.
While these icons had some differences with Nehru, they essentially were on similar wave length as far as secular democratic values are concerned. These projections of Patel and Netaji are mere electoral ploys to garner more power!
---
*Well-known political commentator

Comments

GC said…
The left coined Netaji as a foreign agent...
Congress cheated Netaji every point of time when he was alive and also supressed his glorious life history from the people of the country. How can these parties cantslk about Netaji now?
T N RAMAKRSIHNA said…
RSS founder himself was associatedpleasant with Congress and was also a revolutionary. Savarkar inspired Hindu youths to join army so that they can revolt against British at an appropriate and opportune time.

RSS swayamsevaks have participated in freedom movement in their personal capacity. T N Ramakrishna President Rashtra Gaurava Samrakshana Parishath. +91 9845672560. www.rgspbharath.com
Unknown said…
Stop Bullshitting about RSS, visit The National Library in Calcutta and go through the archives. Read and get out of denial..Bose and Bengal were opposed to RSS and Hindu Mahasaba. RSS backstabbed are freedom fighters.

TRENDING

Importance of Bangladesh for India amidst 'growing might' of China in South Asia

By Samara Ashrat*  The basic key factor behind the geopolitical importance of Bangladesh is its geographical location. The country shares land borders with Myanmar and India. Due to its geographical position, Bangladesh is a natural link between South Asia and Southeast Asia.  The country is also a vital geopolitical ally to India, in that it has the potential to facilitate greater integration between Northeast India and Mainland India. Not only that, due to its open access to the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh has become significant to both China and the US.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

'BBC film shows only tip of iceberg': Sanjiv Bhatt's daughter speaks at top US press club

By Our Representative   The United States' premier journalists' organisation, the National Press Club (NPC), has come down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recent "attacks on journalists in India." Speaking at the screening of an episode of the BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question,” banned in India, in the club premises, NPC President Eileen O’Reilly said, “Since Modi came to power we have watched with frustration and disappointment as his regime has suppressed the rights of its citizens to a free and independent news media."

Chinese pressure? Left stateless, Rohingya crisis result of Myanmar citizenship law

By Dr Shakuntala Bhabani*  A 22-member team of Myanmar immigration officials visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar to verify more than 400 Rohingya refugees as part of a pilot repatriation project. Does it hold out any hope for the forcibly displaced people to return to their ancestral homes in the Rakhine state of Myanmar? Only time will tell.

China ties up with India, Bangladesh to repatriate Rohingyas; Myanmar unwilling

By Harunur Rasid*  We now have a new hope, thanks to news reports that were published in the Bangladeshi dailies recently. Myanmar has suddenly taken initiatives to repatriate Rohingyas. As part of this initiative, diplomats from eight countries posted in Yangon were flown to Rakhine last week. Among them were diplomats from Bangladesh, India and China.

Natural farming: Hamirpur leads the way to 'huge improvement' in nutrition, livelihood

By Bharat Dogra*  Santosh is a dedicated farmer who along with his wife Chunni Devi worked very hard in recent months to convert a small patch of unproductive land into a lush green, multi-layer vegetable garden. This has ensured year-round supply of organically grown vegetables to his family as well as fetched several thousand rupees in cash sales.

Over-stressed? As Naveen Patnaik turns frail, Odisha 'moves closer' to leadership crisis

By Sudhansu R Das  Not a single leader in Odisha is visible in the horizon who can replace Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He has ruled Odisha for nearly two and half decades. His father, Biju Patnaik, had built Odisha; he was a daring pilot who saved the life of Indonesia’s Prime Minister Sjahrir and President Sukarno when the Dutch army blocked their exit.

Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Ban Ki-moon, others ask Bangladesh PM to 'protect' Yunus

Counterview Desk  A campaign has been launched to support Bangladesh-based economist, micro-finance guru and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, seeking signatures from citizens across the globe in order to “protect” his work, life and safety.

Electricity sharing opens up new window for India’s eastern neighbourhood engagement

By Sufian Asif* Today, challenges like climate change, pandemics, energy reliance, economic crisis, and many more are concerning us. No nation can overcome these obstacles without the assistance and collaboration of other nations. Most importantly, many of these problems have international repercussions. South Asia is facing much more difficulty when compared to other regions. In South Asia, we have some regional organizations, but they are ineffective.