The Search for Netaji
Author : Purabi Roy
Publisher : Purple Peacock Books, Rs450
While trying to dispel some of the cobwebs on the issue, the author has gathered some revealing documents that throw light not only on the politics of the formative years of Indian independence, but also on the issue relating to Netaji’s death, says Prof Nirmala Joshi
The death of one of India’s leading nationalist leader Subhas Chandra Bose remains shrouded in mystery. A view that has gained credibility is that Bose did not die in the air crash at Taihoku in Formosa (Taiwan ) as has been maintained in official records and also popularly held view among people. The book The Search for Netaji : New Findings is the result of painstaking and sustained research by the author Professor Purabi Roy. She has delved into numerous documents, statements and reports maintained in the Russian British and Indian archives. Being highly proficient in Russian, she spent considerable time examining and studying the material.
The book is an attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Bose and she has questioned some of the existing perceptions on this issue. While trying to dispel some of the cobwebs on the issue, she has gathered some revealing documents that throw light not only on the politics of the formative years of Indian independence, but also on the issue relating to Bose’s death. The most striking feature of the book is that it is a rare collection of authentic material arranged chronologically. Apart from a brief introduction to each chapter, she has allowed the documents to speak for themselves, and for the readers to arrive at their own point of view. After an examination of conflicting reports about Bose’s death on August 18, 1945, the thrust of Professor Roy’s arguments is that Bose was seen alive in Moscow, after the date of his supposed death.
Since there is no definitive evidence of the air crash at Taihoku and consequently of Netaji’s death, all the indications now point to a Russian role behind his disappearance. Half a century has elapsed since then, but the closure to the mystery eludes us.
Another interesting observation is that unlike in the past, the official stance maintained by the Soviet Government that Bose died in the air crash, some Russian scholars have urged a re-examination of the existing stance. To cite an example: in 1989, T F Devyatkina — an expert on India — in her article ‘Social and Political Views of SC Bose’ wrote: “There is reason to doubt the theory that he died in 1945.”
Further confirmation of Bose being alive is also found in Major Toye’s confidential comments on the ‘Death of Bose’ dated January 15, 1946. He stated, “There is, however, a secret report which says that Jawaharlal Nehru received a letter from Bose saying he was in Russia and that he wanted to escape to India. The information alleges that Gandhi and Sarat Bose are among those who are aware of this.”
In fact, Bose had been closely following international developments and in his assessment after the defeat of Germany and Japan , the Anglo-American and Soviet cooperation would fall apart proved correct, and the Cold War was initiated in 1945. In the changing matrix of international relations, Bose was keen to elicit the support of the Soviet Union in furtherance of his cause for Indian independence. On the other hand, the British authorities were concerned that Bose’s appeal within the country was widespread, despite his overtures to foreign powers. The authorities were aware that from the beginning Bose’s standpoint was very clear — he was ever ready to accept any assistance from any nation, if only it desires India to be independent.
The Indian National Army (INA) was also considered an independent force. Even leaders of the national movement did not doubt Bose’s patriotism. Gandhiji said: “I admire his courage and patriotism, but I do not believe the method he was applying. People of India will not get freedom with the help of a sword.” However, the British concern was for the legacy of patriotism of Bose that inspired the youth and could arouse their patriotic feelings.
A revealing dimension that Prof Roy has brought to light is the curious role of the Congress leaders towards Bose. Probably the new Indian leadership apprehended difficulties in view of Bose’s popularity. According to documentary evidence: “By the end of August 1946 when Sayadiyants, a Soviet agent living in Bombay and selling Soviet periodicals and literature and records, was leaving for Moscow, Nehru came to Bombay to meet him and gave him a letter for Stalin and requested him to deliver this letter personally to Stalin.” Prof Roy has rightly pointed out that, “One feels curious to know about the message which Nehru had conveyed through his secret letter delivered to Stalin by Sayadiyants.”
After the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1993, the Russian journal Asia and Africa Today of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Moscow announced its plans to publish a series of articles on Bose based on primary source material unraveled from various Russian archives. The then Indian Government headed by P V Narasimha Rao was highly apprehensive about this announcement. It is believed to have instructed its ambassador in Moscow, Ronen Sen, to look into the matter by using all diplomatic power. Sen tried to prevent the institute from coming out with those article. Though the alleged Indian diplomatic’s move to suppress the publication did not yield results, the articles did give significant leads to the belief that the KGB archives may yet have the truth within.
An equally revealing message was given by the Russian news paper Moskovskie Novostii when the Justice M K Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry was in Moscow to investigate Bose’s death. The newspaper noted “With what message the Commission will return — Was he a victim of catastrophe or NKVDIJ”
As the title aptly mentions, the book is not only a mine of rare documents, but importantly a mine of new findings. As mentioned earlier, the high point of the book is that each document speaks for itself. Prof Roy is of the view that many aspects and issues need further investigation and a thorough research in the interest of a national perspective. Her question at this juncture is that the puzzling question remains.
What is the reason and what are the compulsions behind the lack of concern and apathy on the part of the Governments as well as political leaders of erstwhile Soviet Union, Russia and IndiaIJ Scholars, journalists and diplomats will find that the book makes for a fascinating reading.
The reviewer is the Research Advisor at the United Service Institution of India, Delhi