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Picture Courtesy: PIB

Context:

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah paid heartfelt tribute to the brave son of Mother India, Ras Behari Bose, on his death anniversary.

Background:

Rash Behari Bose was born on 25 May 1886 in Bardhaman, Bengal. He emerged as a revolutionary nationalist who expanded India’s freedom struggle beyond national boundaries, giving it a strong international orientation.

Role in revolutionary Nationalism:

Bose rose to prominence due to his involvement in early revolutionary activities against British rule. He was associated with the Alipore Bomb Case (1908) and later played a crucial role in the 1912 assassination attempt on Viceroy Lord Hardinge, which marked one of the most daring acts of revolutionary resistance during the colonial period.

Association with revolutionary leaders:

In 1913, Rash Behari Bose came into close contact with Jatin Mukherjee (Bagha Jatin), under whose guidance his commitment to armed resistance deepened. This association strengthened his resolve to pursue militant methods for India’s liberation.

Contribution to the Ghadar Movement:

Rash Behari Bose played a significant role in strengthening the Ghadar Movement, which was initiated by Indian revolutionaries and expatriates abroad with the objective of overthrowing British colonial rule in India. He acted as a vital connecting link between revolutionary networks within India and Indian communities overseas, facilitating coordination, communication, and strategic planning.

His involvement underscored the shift of the freedom struggle from being confined within India to becoming a transnational revolutionary movement, drawing support from Indians settled in North America, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. By aligning militant nationalism with global anti-imperialist sentiments during the First World War period, Rash Behari Bose contributed to expanding the ideological and geographical reach of the Indian independence movement, thereby adding an important international dimension to India’s fight against colonial rule.

Escape from British surveillance:

To evade British intelligence, Bose left India in 1915 and eventually found asylum in Japan, which became the base for his later political and organizational activities.

Interaction with Subhas Chandra Bose:

In 1924, while in Japan, Rash Behari Bose met Subhas Chandra Bose, an interaction facilitated by Veer Savarkar. This meeting later proved significant in shaping the leadership of the armed struggle abroad.

Indian Independence League (IIL):

In 1942, Rash Behari Bose established the Indian Independence League (IIL) in Japan. The organization aimed to unite Indians living in East and Southeast Asia and mobilize them against British colonial rule.

Formation of Azad Hind Fauj:

The same year, he took the initiative to organize the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army). Recognizing Subhas Chandra Bose’s leadership qualities and mass appeal, Rash Behari Bose voluntarily transferred the leadership of the INA to him.

Significance of Rash Behari Bose:

• Link between early and later phases of the freedom struggle: Rash Behari Bose played a crucial role in connecting the early phase of revolutionary militancy in India with the later, more organized armed resistance abroad, ensuring continuity in the struggle against British rule. 

• Internationalisation of india’s freedom movement: By operating from countries like Japan and engaging with Indian expatriates across East and Southeast Asia, he transformed India’s freedom struggle into a global movement, mobilising overseas Indians against colonial domination. 

• Strategic vision and organisational leadership: His foresight was evident in the establishment of institutions such as the Indian Independence League (IIL) and the early organisation of the Azad Hind Fauj, laying a strong foundation for sustained armed resistance. 

• Mentor and enabler of Subhas Chandra Bose: Rash Behari Bose’s decision to hand over the leadership of the Indian National Army to Subhas Chandra Bose demonstrated political maturity and commitment to the larger national cause over personal leadership. 

• Symbol of sacrifice and perseverance: Despite prolonged exile and constant threat from British intelligence, he remained dedicated to India’s independence, embodying the spirit of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering patriotism. 

Conclusion:

Rash Behari Bose stands out as a visionary revolutionary who carried India’s freedom struggle beyond national boundaries. Through his sacrifices, strategic leadership, and role in nurturing organized armed resistance abroad, he left an enduring imprint on the course of India’s independence movement.

Source: PIB