Kolkata: On Friday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed through a Twitter message that a grand statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose would be installed at India Gate in New Delhi. Speaking on this issue, Netaji’s grandnephew, Chandra Kumar Bose told ETV Bharat that while he welcomes the decision on Netaji statue at India Gate, he wants the Union government to adopt Netaji's inclusive ideology for all religions in practice.
Read: Grand statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to be installed at India Gate: PM Modi
Son of Sarat Chandra Bose, a freedom fighter and the elder brother of Netaji, Chandra Kumar Bose was always extremely close to BJP, and in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he had even unsuccessfully contested as its candidate from South Kolkata Lok Sabha constituency. Before that in the 2016 West Bengal assembly elections, BJP pitted Chandra Kumar Bose against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Bhabanipur assembly constituency.
Read: When Netaji corrects a historical anomaly
According to him, he welcomes the decision taken by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government to install a grand statue of Netaji at India Gate. “But at the same time I must say that the real tribute to Netaji will be possible if the Union government adopts his inclusive ideology for all religions.
“Netaji always believed in the inclusion of all religions in the process. In fact, he ran the Azad Hind Fouj and Azad Hind Government on the basis of that inclusive politics. We must follow that example and fight against the current trend of discordant and communal politics in the country,” Chandra Kumar Bose said.
Read: Netaji's birth anniversary should be observed as Patriots Day: Chandra Kumar Bose
One of the top commanders of Netaji’s Azad Hind Fouj was a Muslim, Shah Nawaz Khan. In fact, on 16 January 1941, Netaji, who was under house arrest at his Elgin Road home in Kolkata following his release from the prison, managed to give the British a slip disguising as a Muslim. It was the last day India saw Netaji on its soil. His plan was to escape to Germany via Afghanistan and Russia with the help of his nephew Sisir Bose.
Meticulously planning, Netaji even grew a beard several days ahead of the great escape. On the day, Netaji, disguised as Mohammed Ziauddin, a fictitious insurance agent, was driven by Sisir. Clad in black clothes, Netaji sat in the rear seat but did not shut the door. Sisir then slammed the driver's door so that those watching Netaji assumed that only one person boarded the vehicle.
During the pick of the Second World War, Netaji departed from Germany and travelled all way to Japan through a German submarine. In that risky journey, his aide was again a Muslim, Abid Hasan. Finally, in the last mysterious flight from Saigon Airport in May 1945, following which he disappeared or was arguably killed in that flight accident, Netaji’s companion was again a Muslim, Habibur Rahman.
He also said that Netaji taught the nation that all are Indians first. “If the younger sections of the country are not steered in this direction another division in the country is inevitable. The prime minister should adopt inclusive politics and that will be the best tribute to Netaji,” he added.
He also informed that he has written to the Prime Minister so that BJP adopts this religion inclusive politics and effectively practice the same in the country. “Otherwise what happened in 1947 will be repeated. Had Netaji been able to come back to India, then the national and Bengal partition would not have happened. So, adopting Netaji’s ideology is the only way out to keep the country united,” he said.
