ARZI HUKUMMAT-E-AZAD HIND: 77TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION OF THE PROCLAMATION OF AZAD HIND

 

 

 

A day marked in golden letters in the history of Manipur, Azad Hind Fauj Imphal Front took up the noble initiative to commemorate this day. Azad Hind Fauj Imphal Front is a perfect example of “Meetings of the Minds”; an association of passionate individuals from varied walks of life bonded by a common desire to create an environment which will bring an awareness of the true history which has been in the obscurity and long overdue to its citizens and the world beyond. The organisation also pledges to carry those stories of supreme sacrifices made by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and his legendary Azad Hind Fauj far and wide. And even the sacrifices made by the Manipuris in the struggle. Members of the organisation include Patriotic Social activist, Ex-Servicemen, Medical science professionals, Military history researcher, Entrepreneur, Professionals, Media Professionals etc.

 

Yes, without an iota of doubt, India’s road to freedom has been a tough one. It was indeed a hard-won fight.

 

Nevertheless, the reflection of that brilliant collective sacrifice made by all the Indians reflects even today in the country. One cannot easily brush aside those supreme sacrifices of Netaji and his Azad Hind Fauj on the road to India’s struggle for freedom. It is now widely acknowledged that Britain’s insecurity in India was felt even more strongly after the spontaneous public outcry and mutinies by her troops that led her to victory in World War 2. The historic Azad Hind Fauj trials in the Red Fort were the catalysts, and it was the last nail on the coffin of the Empire.

 

Azad Hind Fauj was Raised in Malaya in 1942 by Captain Mohan Singh a former 1/14th Punjab Officer from the prisoners of war collected in Malaya. It crumbled soon after an unsuccessful stint arising out of differences with the Japanese Kikan Office and the Council of Action. Later in 1943, The command was given to Netaji after he arrived in Singapore from Tokyo where he had arrived from Berlin on a U-Boat. Netaji was a well accomplished and a shrewd tactician, and he realised very early that Azad Hind Fauj needed a legitimate Government to function. This led to the famous Proclamation of the Provisional Government of India “Arzi Hukummat-E- Azad Hind” on October 21, 1943. The Government was soon granted recognition by many countries.

 

In 1944 it became an integral part of Lt.Gen. Renya Mutaguchi’s Operation U-Go, the ambitious Japanese campaign of India. Azad Hind Fauj was fighting alongside the Japanese they marched into India from Burma. 1st Division Azad Hind Fauz based in Burma was led by Col. Zaman Kiani. It was composed of 4 Guerrilla Regiments. The regiments were also known as the Subash, Gandhi, Nehru and the Azad Brigade.

 

The most elite of all the regiment was the Subash Brigade led by Lt.Col. Shah Nawaz.

 

The Brigade arrived along with the Bahadur Group which is an intelligence group along with the southern approach to Imphal valley led by the Japanese 33rd Division. They were hot on the heels after the 17th Indian Light Division, a former adversary since the Sittang Bridge incident. Arriving in Moirang on April 14, 1944 they hoisted the first Indian Tricolour flag on the first liberated soil of India in the town of Moirang at the historic Kangla which was the seat of ancient Royal Power. They were welcomed and assisted by the locals who also enthusiastically enrolled in the Bahadur Group and also the Kikan Office. Some even joined Burma prior to arrival in India.

 

Meanwhile, the Azad Hind Dal went about restoring the public administration in the liberated town of Moirang. The local’s volunteers were indispensable to the Japanese and the Azad Hind Fauj as they scouted for food to feed the troops, gathered intelligence reports, reported on the enemy’s activities and also provided labours. For the records, some of the Manipuris retreated to Burma with the Japanese wherein some were captured to be only jailed in Rangoon and released much after the war. Some of them also perished while in the retreat.

 

The other Brigade also had their share of honour especially the Gandhi brigade when a team led by Major Pritam Singh went on an assault to storm the allied airfield at Parallel. On the march, they bumped into a group of Gurkhas who had strongly dugged in. In spite of repeated attacks and casualty mounting on both sides, finally, they retreated to the base camp. Major Pritam and many others were awarded by Netaji himself for a show of conspicuous gallantry. The Nehru Brigade who arrived later was deployed to guard the right flanks of the Japanese. They were also engaged in many fierce clashes for about six weeks. Ultimately with the failure of the Japanese logistics and supply of reinforcements on which Azad Hind Fauj was wholly dependent, the decision to retreat along with the Japanese to Irrawaddy was taken. Whereby it was regrouped again, joined in by fresh troops and mobilised for the second front also. Finally, in the face of the overwhelming Allied push, remnants of Azad Hind Fauj trekked from Rangoon to Bangkok which included the Netaji himself—thus ending Azad Hind Fauj’s first outing. It was already a victory for Netaji!.

 

The grand function was graced by Prahlad Singh Patelji, Hon’ble Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India as the Chief Guest. A video message by the Minister was also relayed on this occasion. He congratulated the efforts of the Members of the Azad Hind Fauj Imphal Front in remembering and honouring the legacy of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and his Azad Hind Fauj in Imphal.

 

Maharajkumar Leishemba Sanajaoba, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, (R.S) also graced the function as Guest of Honour. In his speech, he stressed upon the need to understand the correct history devoid of manipulation and concocted narratives.

 

Dr Sinam Rajendra Singh, Chairman of the Front, also spoke about the need of inculcating the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice into the youths of today who will take us forward as a nation.