What history & common sense say - Nehru-era snooping on Netaji family
Uv Ajed
There are suspicions that refuse to die. One of these is that Jawaharlal Nehru nursed a deep-seated hostility towards Subhas Chandra Bose.
The dying embers of this suspicion have been stoked by the recent "revelations" from some declassified files that the Government of India, between 1948 and 1968, kept two members of the Bose family under surveillance through the Intelligence Bureau.
It is assumed on the basis of this evidence that Nehru had ordered this surveillance and that he was apprehensive of Bose's return.
The reports of the surveillance are shocking and surprising as they were directed at Bose's two nephews, Amiya and Sisir, who were minor political figures. If Nehru had been genuinely suspicious of a possible return of Bose, he should have placed Sarat Bose, the person who was closest to Subhas and was his elder brother, under surveillance (Sarat Bose died in 1950). These files do not suggest that.
The critical question: did Nehru have reason to worry if Bose were to return? Was his political position within the Congress and in India that fragile in the years of his prime ministership? The answer is that he had no apparent reason to feel threatened.
To this must be added that by 1946, the ideological differences that Nehru had had with Bose when the latter had joined the Axis Powers had disappeared. He had been deeply upset by the report of the air crash that was presumed to have taken Bose's life (according to reports); he had spoken to the INA undertrials and had been profoundly impressed by Bose's bravery, his secularism and his ability to stand up to Japanese bullying. He described him as a great soldier and patriot who was personally like a younger brother to him, with whom he had had a passing but serious ideological disagreement.
This response of Nehru in the aftermath of the Second World War must be seen in the context of the comradeship that he and Bose had shared through the 1930s. The two of them together were the leaders of the radical wing of the Congress.
They read the same books; they missed each other's company and support when one of them was away in Europe. Bose, it is not often noted, had been present at the death and funeral of Kamala Nehru. There were personal and political bonds between the two.
Given this history, and also given that in 1946, Nehru had overcome the reservations he had had in the early 1940s regarding Bose's activities, it is difficult to accept the argument that Nehru had reason to feel threatened at the prospect of Bose's return.
In fact, he probably would have welcomed Bose back since the latter would have provided him vital support against the Right-wingers within the Congress, including Vallabhbhai Patel and Rajendra Prasad. But this is a piece of speculation as much as the argument that he felt threatened is speculation.
What is a fact, as far as one can make out from the reports on the declassified files, is that Amiya and Sisir Bose were under surveillance. The reasons for this are not known.
To know the reasons, historians will have to dig deep into the evidence, certainly deeper than a report in a newspaper. Serious research, rather than sensational mudslinging, is the need.
There are two more points that need to be made. Some of reports in the files refer to the post-Nehru years. Around 1967-68, Amiya Bose was a political figure of the Left in Bengal. Is this why Indira Gandhi put him under surveillance?
Surveillance is a characteristic of all modern regimes of power. In fact, it is one of its indelible birthmarks. Dominant powers use it routinely against the opposition, potential opponents and even sometimes friends. In this process, spooks are also known to have spied on the wrong persons.
By spying on the two Bose cousins, the Government of India was bestowing more importance on them than they politically deserved. Their close relationship with their uncle may not have been relevant at all.
This is what common sense and a sense of history would suggest but neither of these has been a good antidote to either suspicion or sensationalism.
Written by :Mr. Rudrangshu Mukherjee
Read the original article here
Comments
Voted. 🙂
What is not a confirmed fact, is always fiction. Anything could be possible, and there just isn't enough evidence either ways. Besides, does it matter now?
Other than curiosity value of course!
Meh
If 2 were so close then in 1920s when Netaji won clear majority in congress then why was Nehru among the few who directly blackmailed congress to remove him?
If 2 shared same ideology and same books then why didn't Nehru understand the importance of war other than getting more political titles from British.
And why do you ignore that Netaji were never in favor of violence other than the opportunity in world war?
Why do you forget that it was Nehru who declared that India had nothing to do with INA,no food or hospitality will be given if they come anyhow.
Lets look to future and a new era.Forget the past.
And just to mention,Netaji got this name because of his extreme leadership and quality. He was no doubt the favorite in any wing despite being condemned by very few(you can guess who) and if he was present at the time of independance,off course with sheer majority and national appeal it would have been him the PM ( even at his return)
isn't it true that nehru refused to accept jinnah as first prime minister of india? if that is true then maybe he was power hungry???
???? Jinnah was leader of Muslim League which demanded Pakistant in early 1930s,. How is that possible?
There's wide spread speculation about this matter. In fact many historians state that it's a truth.
That's a very good point you've highlighted in your article.
I'll try to write a article about this hopefully tomorrow.
o7
Stop defaming your past leader......
Neither Bose nor Nehru can come and defend themselves.....
all your arguments are based on things that are written here and thereby some guys.
Accept the fact that both these guys did what was required to get India freedom...
They tried their best...
You guys can not even liberate India in this game and you want to point fingers at these 2 tall leaders who were standing up against mighty British.
Put your tail between your legs and go and hide in your mamma's lap.
well i can't agree with u, all neheru did was ensure that he'd be on the top of the govt whenevr india got her independence & as for his relatioship with netaji, i'll discuss more about it in my next article
How do you know ?
You are basing your views on hearsay...
Nehru is not here to defend himself so you can tell whatever you want....
Same for Bose, he did whatever he felt correct....
Do not judge them years after their death....
You do not know what they would have gone through during their time.
If you have guts just try to go against your School or College Principal or for that matter your Office Boss. If you succeed then come and comment against Nehru or Bose or for that matter Gandhiji.
They did something which we can not even think of and so we have no rights to comment against them.
fair point man!!!!!
I think I will save my concerns to the moral police rising here, s**t servers and publicity mongers rather than trying to analyze what happened before I was born.
Nehru nor Bose were perfect, you know what? They are humans unlike our PM 😛
I really dont understand that why what happened around 50-75 years ago is creating such a controversy in 2015. Whatever happened whether it was good/bad has already happened! Now nobody can do a thing about it!