Bose, INA and South-East Asia (ii)

Netaji toured all over South-East Asia with the express purpose of mobilizing the Indian's to fight for India's liberation. But directly or indirectly he was unifying the whole of South-East Asia against the European Imperialism. During his visit to Burma, China, Philippines and many other South-East Asian countries, he stressed the need for a united stand of these region against the European imperialism. His visit to Nanking in China was hailed as 'an epoch making event' in the Chinese nationalist papers. During his visit he addressed mass rallies organized by the Chinese youth where he exhorted them to campaign for a United China which he declared, would not only bring domestic peace to China but would also help to check European imperialism in the east.

Netaji, during these tours, also convinced these nations that India's independence movement was not an isolated affair but it was a part of their struggle against colonialism. There were many things in common between Indian and South-East Asian nations' colonial struggle. Netaji in his speeches never failed to compare their sufferings with that of the Indian people. This created a strong bond of friendship among the concerned nations.

Netaji diplomatically made them realize that unless India, the British stronghold, attained independence they could not realize their own. He thus rallied their support for India's freedom struggle. Fully understanding this message, Chinese leader Wang Ching Wei declared: 'To overthrow the British tyranny we must first of all achieve Independence and sovereignty for India…India's freedom is not only her own freedom. It is the freedom of entire East Asia, it is the freedom of the world.'

Attainment of India's independence became the urgent need for the whole of South-East Asia. Burmese Prime Minister Ba Maw at the opening session of the Greater East Asia Conference declared: '…if we wish to destroy anti-Asiatic powers we must turn and drive them out of their Asiatic stronghold and that stronghold is India…' Minister of Foreign affairs of Japan Shigemitsu also echoed the same idea when he stated: '…the emancipation of India is the key to emancipation of Asia…'

The new consciousness that these countries derived formed the base of the Greater-East Asia Conference, where the subdued nations pledged to jointly fight European imperialism. Even though Netaji participated in this conference only as an observer, he was instrumental in bringing about a five point declaration which was much appreciated by the members of the conference. Netaji's ideas of international societies and what they should stand for is well reflected when he suggested that they should aim at elimination of racial discrimination, help to foster equality and mutual respect among the Asiatic nations, close economic cooperation based on the principle of reciprocity, enhancement and interchange of culture among Asiatic nations and join together for a common defence of Asia.

Greater East Asia Conference assumed the shape of an international society. Its aim was not only a united fight against European domination but also to prepare the ground for better diplomatic relations between Asiatic nations in future. It could be considered as the predecessor of many later international organizations like ASEAN, SAARC etc. Critics have pointed out that this conference was aimed at fostering that imperialistic designs of Japan over South-East Asia but so far as the role of this conference in unifying the whole of South East Asia is concerned, it cannot be overlooked or neglected. Netaji used it as a platform to gain support for India's cause and to propagate his idea of a world order free from bondage, racial discrimination and exploitation and to foster equality and mutual respect among member nations. Later Netaji in a press conference declared about this conference: '…it will prove to be a charter of liberty for nations of East Asia and I may venture to prophesy that the world at large will hear more of this charter in future and will also need it when the times comes to attempt once again the formation of an international society of Nations."

Netaji inspired the nations of South-East Asia to join hands with the Japanese and liberate their respective countries. Even though Netaji gradually was convinced that Japan was losing in the war he carried on the struggle with all earnestness. He was no pleader of the Axis policies but it was beyond doubt that he was much impressed at the goodwill gesture of Japan granting independence to Burma, Philippines as well as ceding Andaman-Nicobar islands to Azad Hind Government. He continued the struggle as he had firm faith that at the end of the war India would definitely attain independence. This was inspiring both to the Indians as well as the other countries of South-East Asia to carry on the struggle for freedom till they achieved their end.

Netaji's INA failed to produce immediate results in India but it created a strange revolutionary fervour within the country at a time when India lay prostrated after the Quit Indian Movement. The country rose up again, the wave of revolutionary fervour swept the length and breadth of the country and even brought for the first time the British Indian Armed forces within its ambit. The British gradually realised that their greatest colonial empire was crumbling down.

Same was the effect in South-East Asia. After the failure of the Imphal Campaign the British advanced rapidly into South-East Asia, thus bringing once again the whole area under their colonial regime. The war ended but the revolutionary ideas did not die out. People who had tasted freedom at least for some time got addicted to it. The inspiration of Netaji to fight till the last continued to inspire them long after he had disappeared. They united for their own freedom and finally succeeded.