Netaji is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

The death of Mulayam Singh Yadav is sad as he was a great political leader and his contribution to Indian politics in general in our country and Uttar Pradesh in particular from time to time has been highlighted in many prints and electronic media.  With a political career straddling more than six decades, being elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) seven times and the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) 10 times, the veteran politician was a prominent political leader. In 1992, Yadav set up his own Samajwadi Party (Socialist Party). He served three non-consecutive terms as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and also served as the Minister of Defence, at the Government of India. Later on, his son the young Akhilesh Yadav became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2012. Mulayam Singh Yadav’s controversial statement on rape many Indians did not take in the good sense. Anyway, he was often referred to as Netaji by party leaders, workers, and others (reason which may be understood). But as a senior citizen and academician, I cannot accept. In this context, I wish to mention all Indians even many Pakistanis and Bangladeshis talked about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s immense contribution to the freedom movement of India. So, Netaji means Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It is pertinent to mention that Mahatma means Gandhiji. Indians have accepted Mahatma for Gandhiji then why some people will use Netaji for Mulayam Singh Yadav? Many newspapers highlighted ‘Netaji’ for Mulayam Singh Yadav.  Can they write for any other stalwarts? Here I wish to mention a few lines about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s contribution to those who are not aware.  While Subhas Chandra Bose was Congress President, many admired him for his energetic role and that is why he was elected President of Indian National Congress for two consecutive terms but had to resign in the mid of second term due to ideological differences with Gandhiji as Mahatma Gandhi preferred Pattabhi Sitaramaiah, but he was defeated.   It is believed that albeit Pattabhi Sitaramaiah was a Telugu person hailing from the southern part of India but many persons of the southern region of India voted in favour of Netaji Subhas. Anyhow, while Netaji was Congress President he carried out many remarkable works - one was his initiative to keep Assam with India as then Muslim League leaders’ had different game plans. In 1938, Assam was passing through great political turmoil as there was a serious political problem - Muslim League vs. Congress. During that time, Gopinath Bordoloi invited Netaji (President of Congress at that time) to come to Assam and intervene. Netaji Subhas Chandra immediately rushed to Assam and strongly advocated the formation of the ministry under the leadership of Gopinath Bordoloi.  As a sequel, Assamese youths were happy and a booklet on Netaji was published by some enthusiastic students of Cotton College in 1939, under the umbrella of the All Assam Progressive Youth Association (AAPYA, formed at that time).   While Netaji Subhas was Head of the Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauj, Dr. (Mrs.) Lakshmi Swaminathan met him in Singapore and decided to join the freedom movement as she was impressed with the charismatic speech of Netaji Subhas. She as   Captain Lakshmi headed a regiment called Jhansi Rani Laxmi Bai Regiment.  It was the first regiment headed by a lady in Asia with around 1000 women personnel. Also, it is pertinent to mention that around 60,000 persons consisting of all religions were in Azad Hind Fauj and brigades were in the name of great personalities like Gandhi brigade, Nehru brigade, Azad brigade, Subhas brigade, Rani of Jhansi regiment.  

No Indian can forget Netaji’s great statement, ‘You give me your blood and I will give you Independence!’