Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a heartfelt tribute, commemorated the foundation day of the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army, INA) on October 21, 2024. Posting on X, he recalled the significant historical moment when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as the commander of the INA, announced the establishment of India’s first independent government in 1943. Amit Shah emphasised that this bold proclamation, accompanied by the INA’s resolve to liberate India, became a decisive moment in the fight against British colonial rule.
In his message, Amit Shah wrote, “On this day in 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as the commander of the ‘Azad Hind Fauj,’ announced the first independent government of India and celebrated this day as Independence Day. This historic step proved to be the last nail in the coffin of British rule.”
वर्ष 1943 में आज ही के दिन नेताजी सुभाष चंद्र बोस जी ने ‘आजाद हिंद फौज’ के सेनापति के रूप में भारत की प्रथम स्वतंत्र सरकार की घोषणा की और इस दिन को स्वतंत्रता दिवस के रूप में मनाया। यह ऐतिहासिक कदम अंग्रेजी हुकूमत के ताबूत में आखिरी कील साबित हुआ।
'दिल्ली चलो' के महाघोष के साथ,…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 21, 2024
Amit Shah also saluted the courageous soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj, whose commitment to India’s freedom, marked by the inspiring slogan Delhi Chalo (“March to Delhi”), galvanised the youth of the nation to unite against British tyranny. He concluded by honoring the brave freedom fighters on the foundation day of the INA, acknowledging their contribution to India’s struggle for independence.
The Azad Hind Fauj was officially formed on October 21, 1943, in Singapore under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose, who announced the creation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind (Free India). Bose assumed multiple roles within the government: Head of State, Prime Minister, and Minister of War, signaling his all-encompassing leadership in the fight for independence.
The INA’s primary goal was to secure India’s freedom from British rule through armed resistance. Bose’s leadership and the soldiers’ dedication were driven by the unshakeable belief in achieving Swaraj (self-rule) for their motherland.
The INA received crucial backing from the Axis powers during World War II, including Imperial Japan, Nazi Germany, and the Italian Social Republic. This strategic alignment provided the INA with resources and military support, enabling them to launch their military campaigns against the British colonial forces.
Bose’s leadership remained central to the INA’s operations, guiding the soldiers with his vision of a free India. The INA established its headquarters in Rangoon (now Yangon, Myanmar) and Singapore, two significant strategic locations during the campaign. These bases became central points for planning and executing military actions against the British Empire in India.
The Azad Hind Fauj was composed of three main fighting brigades, symbolically named after key figures in the Indian freedom struggle: the Gandhiji Brigade, Azad Brigade, and Nehru Brigade. These brigades reflected the unity of purpose shared by various leaders and fighters during India’s independence movement.
One of the most notable aspects of the INA was the formation of the Rani Jhansi Brigade, an exclusive women’s regiment named after the iconic freedom fighter, Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi. This brigade was led by the formidable Captain Laxmi Sehgal, further highlighting the role of women in the fight for independence. The involvement of women in active combat roles under Bose’s leadership marked a significant step forward in recognising their contributions to the cause.
The slogan Delhi Chalo (March to Delhi) became the rallying cry for the soldiers of the INA, representing their ultimate objective of marching to India’s capital and overthrowing the British regime. This powerful call to action inspired not only INA soldiers but also millions of Indians to rise up against colonial rule, making it one of the most enduring slogans of India’s freedom struggle.
The INA’s efforts, though met with mixed military success, played a pivotal role in shaking the foundations of British rule in India. The soldiers of the INA became symbols of bravery and determination, and their sacrifice was instrumental in stoking the fires of revolution across the country.
The actions of Bose and the INA, alongside the political and social movements within India, contributed significantly to the eventual decision by the British to grant India its independence in 1947. Today, the legacy of the Azad Hind Fauj is remembered for its unyielding dedication to freedom and the indomitable spirit of its leaders and soldiers.
