It was a conflict between Gandhian and Socialist ideology. In other words, it was difference between, how Gandhi wanted to establish a just society, and how socialist programmes would achieve socio economic justice. In the beginning of World War-II, this issue became cause of conflict between Gandhi and S.C. Bose. At the outbreak of the Second World War S.C. Bose argued.

(a)        It was right time for mass struggle.

(b)        He had belief that people were ready for mass struggle.

(c)        The crisis situation of British should be exploited.

(d)        He was of the view that British should be given six months ultimatum to grant freedom or to face nation wide civil disobedience movement.

Gandhi did not subscribe to S.C. Bose ideas and opposed him. He argued.

(a)        This is not the right time to wage mass struggle

(b)        We should not exploit crisis situation of British

(c)        The general people in the country were not ready for any mars movement

(d)        We should not frustrate British War efforts against the Fascist forceswhich were regarded as bigger enemy.

The result of the conflict between Gandhi and Subhash came on surface in 1939. It became an issue of Presidential election for congress party. S.C. Bose tendered resignation in favour of Gandhi candidate Pattabhi Sitaramaiyya. He formed his own party called “Forward Block”.

Indian National Army (INA)

The QIM was a struggle fought against the British in India. But equally important is the role of the Indian National Army which waged battles against the British from foreign soil.

There were many Indian revolutionaries working abroad for the country’s cause. Among these was Rasbehari Bose, living as a fugitive from the British since 1915 in Japan. He organized the revolutionary force named Indian National Army.

Bose had escaped from India in 1941 to Berlin. In June, 1943 he came to Tokyo and then joined the INA at Singapore in July. Rasbehari Bose handed over the leadership to Subhash Bose, and an Azad Hind Sarkar was formed. In November, 1943 the Japanese announced their decision to hand over the administration of Andamans and Nicobar islands to the INA. Thus started the heroic struggle of the INA for India’s independence.

Actions of INA

The INA in a few months time had three fighting brigades named after Gandhi, Azad and Nehru. Soon other brigades were raised, namely the Subhash brigade and the Rani Jhansi brigade[1]. The overseas Indians contributed heavily in terms of money and material for the army. The slogans of the INA were ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Delhi Chalo’. The most famous was Subhash’s declaration that “Tum Mujhe Khoon Do Mein Tumhe Azadi Dunga” (you give me blood I will give you freedom).

Fighting side by side with the Japanese armed forces the INA crossed the Indian frontier on 18th March 1944. The tricolour was hoisted on Indian soil. However the INA failed to capture Imphal due to two reasons.

i)     The Japanese failed to supply the necessary material and air cover to the INA.

ii)    The Monsoon prevented their advance.

In the meantime the British were able to regroup their forces and made counter attacks. The INA fought heroically with tremendous loss of manpower, but the course of war was changing. With the collapse of Germany and set backs to the Japanese armies, the INA too could not stand on its own. Subhash Bose disappeared. Some believed he died in an air crash, while others refused to believe this.

Impact

The INA had failed to achieve its goal but it made a significant impact on the freedom struggle:

i)     It became clear to the British that they could no longer depend on the loyalty of Indian soldiers and treat them as mercenaries.

ii)    The struggles of the INA demonstrated that those who waged an armed struggle against the British were not at all affected by communal division. There were Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs in the INA who had fought as Indians.

iii)   The actions of the Rani Jhansi Brigade - an exclusively women force - demonstrated the capabilities of Indian women waging armed struggle against the British.

iv)  The INA had also demonstrated the enthusiasm and concern of overseas Indians for the freedom of their motherland.

In dealing with the role of Subhash Bose during this period, we have to take note of the fact that what he did was not due to his support to Fascist Germany or expansionist Japan, but for India’s freedom. He was determined to maintain the independent existence of INA from the Japanese, and while in Berlin he had problems with the Germans regarding the use of India Legion against USSR. The British Government court martialled the INA officers and soldiers and put them on trial for conspiring against the crown.