Subhas Chandra Bose, also called Netaji, was one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian freedom movement, and remains one of the most revered leaders of the Indian freedom struggle, a representative of the most aggressive line with British colonialism. This led him to part ways with Gandhi and Nehru and join Germany and Japan in an attempt to get their help in liberating India during World War II.
Subhas Chandra Bose asserted the need for complete freedom for India as opposed to the Dominion status acceptable to the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Gandhi. Bose was president of the Indian National Congress in 1937 and 1939, when he resigned due to ideological differences.
Bose was arrested during the Second War but escaped to form an Army of India volunteers, the Indian National Army (INA) that mainly comprised 40,000 Indian soldiers captured by the Japanese. He formed a government called “Azad Hind Government” (Free India Government) in 1943.
Sitting (left to right): Aruna Asaf Ali, Nellie Sengupta, Sarojini Naidu, Shahbanu Begum, and unknown.
Standing (left to right): Unknown, Dr. Syud Hossain, Subhas Chandra Bose, Hassan Suhrawardy, and unknown.
Give me blood, and I will give you freedom!
“Friends! Twelve months ago a new programme of ‘Total Mobilisation’ or ‘Maximum Sacrifice’ was placed before you, and you pledged your whole-hearted support to this programme. The blood of martyrs has borne fruit, and through their suffering and sacrifice, our struggle has been brought to this present stage. The time has come for the final march to Delhi. We have resolved to expand and strengthen the Azad Hind Fauj (INA) so that we may strike harder at the enemy. Every Indian, no matter where he may be, should contribute to the best of his capacity and ability to the cause of India’s freedom. Our slogan should be: ‘Give me blood, and I will give you freedom!’”
