Kangana Ranaut’s Remark on Subhash Chandra Bose: A Historical Perspective
Kangana Ranaut, the actor-turned-politician, recently stirred a debate by claiming that Subhash Chandra Bose, not Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, served as India’s first prime minister. This statement sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Ranaut of a lack of historical knowledge. However, a deeper dive into the annals of history reveals a complex narrative that might shed light on her controversial remark.
Subhash Chandra Bose’s Role in the Fight for Independence
Historical records confirm that on October 21, 1943, Subhash Chandra Bose established the provisional government of Azad Hind (Free India) in Singapore. This move came after Bose saw an opportunity during World War II to liberate India from British rule, leveraging support from Axis powers such as Japan, Nazi Germany, and Italy.
Bose took on the roles of prime minister and minister of war in this provisional government, which also included key figures like AC Chatterjee as finance minister, SA Ayer as minister of publicity and propaganda, and Lakshmi Swaminathan as minister of women’s affairs, among others.
This government, positioned as an alternative to British colonial rule, sought international recognition and undertook significant state functions, including issuing stamps, currency, and passports, and establishing courts. Bose’s leadership and the government’s activities were aimed squarely at rallying support for India’s freedom.
The Azad Hind government proclaimed authority over Indian civilians and military personnel in regions of Southeast Asia then under British control, and even gained de jure control over Indian territory when the Japanese handed over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in late December 1943, although de facto military control remained with the Japanese.
Recognition and Legacy
Bose’s government received diplomatic recognition from several Axis powers and their allies, marking a significant, though contentious, chapter in India’s struggle for independence.
Raja Mahendra Pratap’s Provisional Government
Before Bose’s initiative, another provisional government was formed in Kabul in 1915 by Raja Mahendra Pratap, with Maulana Barkatuallah as the prime minister. This government, aimed at Indian independence, received support from the Central Powers during World War I.
The Indian Independent Committee (IIC), similar in its goals to the Azad Hind Fauj, was established to incite a revolt against the British, with efforts focusing on the Muslim populations in Kashmir and the northwestern frontier of British India.
The Ghadar Movement
Maulana Barkatuallah was also a founder of the Ghadar Movement, which began in California in 1913. This movement, aimed at overthrowing British rule through armed revolt, had significant influence on the narrative of India’s freedom struggle, even if it concluded with the end of World War I.
Ranaut’s statement, while controversial, prompts a reevaluation of historical narratives and the roles of figures like Bose and others in India’s journey to independence. While Nehru’s position as the first Prime Minister of independent India is undisputed, the efforts and provisional governments established by Bose and Pratap highlight the multifaceted struggle for freedom and the various leaders who contributed to its cause.
