Subhas Chandra Bose, known as Netaji, remains one of the most enigmatic figures in India's struggle for independence. His contribution to the freedom movement is undeniable, but the mystery surrounding his death has sparked numerous theories, investigations, and debates for decades. Was he killed in a plane crash in 1945, or did he survive and live a secret life? This article examines the events leading up to his death and the subsequent controversies.
Background: The World War II Context
In 1945, the end of World War II was marked by the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. While the world celebrated the defeat of the Axis powers, including Germany, Italy, and Japan, this was not good news for Subhas Chandra Bose.
Netaji had been seeking international support for his Indian National Army (INA) and had approached Germany and Japan for help. He had already made a significant impact by raising the Indian flag for the first time in Indian territory in 1944, when the INA captured Moerang in Manipur. But as Japan began to lose the war, Netaji's prospects for funding and support dwindled.
The Night of 16th August 1945: Netaji's Decision
On the night of 16th August 1945, Netaji summoned his close associates to discuss his next steps. Realizing that Japan's defeat was imminent and that surrendering to the British was not an option, Netaji decided to go into hiding to evade capture. His closest allies believed he would seek refuge in Manchuria, under Japanese control, but with the Soviet Army advancing towards it, the plan seemed uncertain.
The following morning, Netaji left Saigon for a journey that would take him to Taipei, Da Nang (now Turan), and ultimately, Manchuria. But this plan would soon be interrupted by a tragic event.
The Plane Crash: A Disputed Death
On 18th August 1945, Japan issued an official statement claiming that Netaji had died in a plane crash near Taipei. According to this report, after leaving Saigon, Netaji's plane crashed while en route to Tokyo, killing him instantly. However, many people, including those who had accompanied Netaji on his travels, were skeptical of the Japanese report. They pointed out that no official photographs of Netaji's body had been released, and his colleagues, who had been with him in Saigon, were not on the plane.
Moreover, the news of Netaji's death was hard to believe for many in India. His legendary ability to escape danger made people wonder if this was just another ruse to fool the British. After all, in 1941, he had escaped house arrest in Calcutta and fled to Europe via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.
The Official Investigations: Contradictory Findings
In the days following Japan's surrender and Netaji's purported death, the British requested an inquiry into the incident. The Japanese government conducted a preliminary investigation and published a report stating that Netaji had died in the crash. However, this report lacked photographic evidence, fueling doubts in India.
In 1946, Mahatma Gandhi reportedly advised Netaji's family not to perform the last rites, as he believed that Netaji might still be alive. This further deepened the mystery and led to growing speculation.
The Harin Shah Investigation
In 1946, an Indian journalist named Harin Shah traveled to Taiwan (then Formosa) to report on routine matters. However, his visit led to an unexpected investigation into Netaji's death. Shah interviewed a nurse, Tsan Pi Sha, at Nanwan Hospital, where Netaji was allegedly treated after the crash. Shah's findings suggested that Netaji had indeed survived the crash and died later in the hospital. However, his report was not widely circulated in India, and the mystery continued.
The Gumnami Baba Theory
In the 1950s, a new theory gained traction—that Netaji had survived and lived as a sadhu (holy man) named Gumnami Baba in Uttar Pradesh. This theory, propagated by his supporters, suggested that after India gained independence, Netaji returned in disguise and even attended Mahatma Gandhi's last rites. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the Gumnami Baba theory attracted attention, especially when some claimed to have seen Netaji during his supposed later years.
The Shah Nawaz Committee's Investigation
In 1956, the Indian government formed the Shah Nawaz Committee to investigate Netaji's death. The committee concluded that Netaji had died in the plane crash on 18th August 1945. They interviewed 67 witnesses and cross-examined Netaji's close associates, including Colonel Habibur Rahman, who had been with him on the fateful flight. Rahman corroborated the Japanese report but added details about the events before and after the crash.
However, despite this official report, doubts lingered. Netaji's elder brother, Suresh Chandra Bose, refused to sign the report, alleging that the investigation was biased and that the truth was being suppressed. This further fueled the conspiracy theories.
The Mukherjee Commission and the Continuing Debate
In the 1990s, the Indian government set up a third commission, the Mukherjee Commission, led by Justice Manoj Mukherjee. The commission concluded that Netaji did not die in the plane crash. Justice Mukherjee questioned the authenticity of the Japanese reports, pointing to discrepancies such as the lack of a death certificate and the absence of a report in Taiwan's leading newspaper. He also raised concerns about the fact that the ashes supposedly collected from the Renkoji Temple in Tokyo were not conclusively identified as Netaji's.
Despite the findings of the Mukherjee Commission, the mystery of Netaji's death remains unresolved. Many continue to believe in alternative theories, including the idea that he was imprisoned and later killed in Siberia on the orders of Joseph Stalin.
The Role of Political Figures and Rumors
The mystery surrounding Netaji's death became even more complicated with the involvement of political figures. During the 1970s, Samar Guha, an MP, demanded a new investigation into Netaji's death. His investigation into the Gumnami Baba theory raised questions about the authenticity of previous inquiries. However, despite numerous investigations, the official stance that Netaji died in a plane crash continues to be disputed by some historians and enthusiasts of conspiracy theories.
In 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declassified files related to Netaji's death, but these documents did little to resolve the issue. The continuing popularity of conspiracy theories about Netaji's survival and his alleged later life as Gumnami Baba reflects the public's fascination with mysteries.
The Conclusion: A Persistent Mystery
Over the years, various theories about Subhas Chandra Bose's death have been proposed and investigated, but no conclusive evidence has emerged to definitively explain what happened to him. Official investigations, including the Shah Nawaz Committee, the Khosla Commission, and the Mukherjee Commission, have all reached similar conclusions that Netaji died in the plane crash. However, these findings have failed to put an end to the rumors and speculations.
The debate over Netaji's death is not just about historical accuracy; it is also about the longing for answers to an unresolved chapter in India's history. As the years pass, new theories continue to emerge, but the truth remains elusive. One thing is certain, however—Netaji's contribution to India's independence movement is unquestionable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Final Thoughts
The mystery of Subhas Chandra Bose's death is a complex one, with numerous investigations, conflicting theories, and a general reluctance to accept the official narrative. While the mystery may never be fully resolved, the enduring questions about his fate only serve to underscore the significance of his role in India's history. Whether he died in a plane crash, lived as a monk, or something else entirely, Netaji's legacy continues to spark debate and intrigue.