Mains Marathon

Approach

• Introduction: Provide a brief overview of Subhas Chandra Bose's role in India's freedom struggle.
• Body: Discuss Bose's opposition to colonial rule and his belief in self-determination for nations.
• Conclusion: Conclude by underscoring the significance of Bose's legacy in inspiring ongoing struggles for freedom and equality.

Answer:

Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the most influential and charismatic leaders of the Indian freedom movement, who advocated an uncompromising anti-imperialism and undiluted socialism as the guiding principles for achieving national liberation and social justice. He resigned from the Indian Civil Service and joined the freedom movement. He also formed the Forward Bloc as a radical wing within the Congress to mobilize the masses for a decisive action against the British.

His ideology is discussed as follows:

• Bose was a staunch opponent of British colonialism and its exploitative policies that drained India’s wealth and resources.
  • He believed that India had to fight for its complete independence with all means, including armed struggle, and not settle for a dominion status or a constitutional reform.
  • He challenged the moderate and constitutional approach of the Indian National Congress (INC) and advocated a more radical and militant strategy of mass mobilization, civil disobedience, and armed struggle.
  • He established the Indian National Army (INA) in 1943. He coined the slogan “Jai Hind” and gave the call “Give me blood, I will give you freedom”.
• Bose was also a visionary socialist who envisioned a free India as a modern, industrialized and egalitarian nation that would uplift the poor and the oppressed sections of the society. 
  • He advocated land reforms, state planning, nationalization of key industries, social welfare schemes, universal education and health care, and women’s empowerment as part of his program for national reconstruction.
  • He also supported the rights of workers and peasants and opposed communalism and casteism.

Relevance of Bose’s ideology in today’s time:

Bose’s legacy is still very much relevant in the present day, as India faces various challenges in its political and socio-economic spheres.

• His uncompromising anti-imperialism can inspire us to resist any form of external domination or interference in our internal affairs, whether it is from neocolonial powers or global institutions.
• His undiluted socialism can motivate us to strive for a more inclusive and equitable development that benefits all sections of society, especially the marginalized and the vulnerable.
• His spirit of sacrifice and patriotism can encourage us to work for the unity and integrity of our nation, despite our diversity and differences.

Bose’s legacy has inspired generations of Indians to fight for their rights and dignity against oppression and injustice. His example has also influenced various nationalist, socialist, communist, anti-colonial, anti-racist, anti-fascist, feminist, environmentalist, and human rights movements across the world. His vision of a free, democratic, secular, socialist, federal, and diverse India remains relevant and inspiring for many Indians today.