The provisional Government of Azad Hind Organisation and leadership of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

Dr Budha Kamei
Contd from previous issue
The Provisional Government of Azad Hind stood to be a Government of the people, for the people and by the people. In the words of Netaji, “it was the only lawful Government of the Indian people. After the attainment of freedom it will make room for a permanent Government to be set up inside India in accordance with the will of the Indian people.” And “until a permanent National Govern- ment of Azad Hind is set up on the Indian soil, the Provisional Government will administer the affairs of the country in trust for the Indian people.” In simple words, the Provisional Government was established on the basis of international law that it constituted a legitimate Government accre- dited with National sovereignty and recognized by other countries. It was a war of Indian independence under a National Sovereign State against the British colonial regime.
Netaji created a National Planning Sub-committee. It was the accountability to undertake the task of secularization. Hindusthani was the official language of the Azad Hind Government. Hindusthani was instructed in the Commands of the INA. All were asked to wear uniform dress-men and women whether military personnel or civilians. They were also to follow uniform food habits. The Provisional Government of Free India also recommended Jana gana mana and Kadam Kadam Baraye Ja as the National anthem, the tri-color with springing tiger as the national flag and also introduced the common greeting and salutation code Jai Hind. The war cry was Delhi Chalo, and the slogans were Azad Hind Zindabad, Inquilab Zindabad.
The movement of INA was for National unity and its objective was to attain Indian independence and establishment of her National sovereignty based on democratic foundation. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose created a new custom like a Nationalist, democratic, and secular tradition both in the military and civil administration of the Azad Hind Government.
In the first INA Government under Rashbehari Bose and Mohan Singh, there was absence of unity, order, uniformity, discipline, efficient organization and planning. Thivy has rightly stated that, “in matters pertaining to the formation and leadership in a desire to achieve things quickly: the over enthusiasm of the Army as a whole on the one hand and on the other, sensitiveness to control on the part of the then General Officer commanding of the Indian army.” When Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose took over the full control of it all was put in final shape.
Immediately after assuming the charge of the INA movement, Netaji located the sources of supply of men and materials. He opened recruitment and training centers all over Malaya for this purpose. In the year 1944, Indo-Japanese Loan Agreement was made without any string and assuring repayment. Japan gave up claims to its repayment of loan when they surrendered to the allies in 1945. The Provisional Government maintained its independent relation to the Japanese, with regard to the INA. The Japanese accepted Netaji as INA’s leader as of his personality, independent and sincere approach. They also recognized his Provisional Government, ceded Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the Azad Hind Government and established formal relations with the Provisional Government by sending Hachiya as emissary.
Netaji’s administration of Military and civil Administration marked a combi- nation of discipline, benevolence and clemency. Everything was decided on the merit and demerit of the case. Thus, he saw to the enforcement of strict discipline among the soldiers. The Supreme Commander had his Chief-of-Staff, Deputy and Assistant Chiefs-of Staff. The Supreme Headquarters was divided into the General Department, the Adjutant and Quartermaster, the Judicial and Advocate General, the Director of Medical Services, the Accounts Branch, Military Police, Intelligence and Special Service Group, the Enlightenment, Culture and Propaganda Department. The Supreme Headquarters had its Forward Headquarters and Rear Headquarters. Each Division had its own Headquarters, with all such departments as were essential for its well-organized and smooth operations. In addition, there were various services, like supplies, motor transport, workshops, base ordinance depots, military engineering services, field park services. There were also engineering companies which had to do work behind the war zones, to attend to the work of repairs particularly roads and bridges. The Army had also its guerrilla regiments, besides the divisions and their component parts, with tanks, armored cars and so forth.
The creation of women's regiment was a unique contribution of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. “The regiment was entirely Bose's notion. He was a great student of revolutionary history.
(To be contd)