On TN Governor’s Remarks on Indian Freedom Struggle

Source: This post on TN Governor’s Remarks on Indian Freedom Struggle has been created based on the article “What is needed from a Governor is reticence” published in “The Hindu” on 1^st February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Indian History – Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

News: The article discusses the Tamil Nadu Governor’s remarks on the Indian Freedom Struggle.

Background:

The Tamil Nadu Governor was recently in the news due to a controversy over his interpretation of historical events which led to India’s Independence.

What is the controversy?

Minimal Role of the Quit India Movement: The Governor held that the Quit India movement made little impact on the British decision to leave India.

Key Role of INA and Soldier Mutinies: It was insecurity felt by the British at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose forming the Azad Hind Government and its army (INA) and in 1946 by the Naval Mutiny and the Air Force Rebellion.

Lack of Recognition to Netaji Bose: The Governor feels that Netaji was not given due recognition for his contribution to the country’s Independence by the Congress party because of Jawaharlal Nehru and his successors.

According to the author, the Governor can have his own views, but he shouldn’t have made them public while holding the office of Governor. He should’ve exercised restraint.

What is the truth in this interpretation?

Importance of the Loyalty of Indian Soldiers: It is true that the loyalty of Indian soldiers in the British Indian armed forces was a principal pillar of their rule in India. They were instrumental in the British conquering India.

Key Role of the INA and Royal Naval Mutiny: Most historians of the national movement acknowledge that the INA and the naval mutiny shook British confidence in the loyalty of the Indian members of their army in India. Hence, the Governor was right in praising Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s great contribution in achieving Independence.

What are the issues with his interpretation?

Netaji and INA Not Sidelined: Despite ideological differences in leaders of the freedom movement none of them ever denigrated Netaji or the INA. Lawyers among them came together to defend the three officers — Prem Kumar Sehgal, Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and Shah Nawaz Khan — at their court martial at the Red Fort in 1945-46.
Bhulabhai Desai, a great lawyer, led the defence which included Tej Bahadur Sapru, Jawaharlal Nehru and Kailas Nath Katju.

Question for practice:

The INA and the Royal Naval Mutiny of 1946 had a key role to play in Indian independence. Analyse.