The Indian National Army (INA) Trials: Unity in India’s Freedom Struggle and the Misappropriation of Netaji’s Legacy

Subhas Chandra Bose, revered as Netaji, stands as a towering figure in India’s independence movement. His leadership of the Indian National Army (INA), or Azad Hind Fauj, during World War II represented a daring armed challenge to British colonialism. Composed mainly of Indian prisoners of war captured by Japanese forces in Southeast Asia, the INA was revitalized by Bose in 1943, evolving into a structured force that engaged in battles across Burma and Northeast India under his iconic slogan, “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom.” This article explores the landmark Red Fort Trials of three prominent INA officers—Prem Kumar Sahgal, Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, and Shah Nawaz Khan—who were key allies of Bose. It emphasizes the Indian National Congress’s vigorous defense, including Jawaharlal Nehru‘s participation, while debunking contemporary narratives from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that depict Nehru as Bose’s opponent. Additionally, it highlights Bose’s staunch rejection of communal ideologies akin to those of the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha, which he saw as divisive and complicit with British rule.

Bose’s Key Allies: Sahgal, Dhillon, and Shah Nawaz Khan

These three officers were not peripheral figures but senior commanders in the INA, profoundly shaped by Bose’s ideology of secular unity and anti-colonial fervor. Originally serving in the British Indian Army, they were captured in campaigns like those in Malaya and Singapore, later joining the INA after being inspired by Bose’s speeches and vision.

• Prem Kumar Sahgal: As a colonel, Sahgal acted as Bose’s military secretary and commanded the 2nd Infantry Regiment and later the 2nd Division during the Burma Campaign, including operations at Mount Popa. His close advisory role to Bose underscored his strategic importance, and his marriage to Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment exemplified the INA’s inclusive ethos.
• Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon: A colonel who commanded the Nehru Brigade, Dhillon met Bose in Rangoon in 1944, where Netaji’s addresses cemented his allegiance. He led forces in Burma, embodying Bose’s emphasis on inter-community harmony, as his Sikh background helped rally diverse support.
• Shah Nawaz Khan: Elevated to major general, Khan served in Bose’s Provisional Government of Free India cabinet and led the 1st Division in battles at Mandalay, Kohima, and Imphal. Influenced by Bose post-capture in Singapore in 1942, he later headed the 1956 Shahnawaz Committee probing Bose’s death, affirming the 1945 plane crash theory.

These officers were Bose’s ideological partners, advancing his goal of a socialist, united India free from religious divisions. Their trials became a catalyst for national awakening.

The Red Fort Trials: Congress and Nehru’s Defense of Bose’s Comrades

Conducted from November 1945 to May 1946 at Delhi’s Red Fort—a site chosen to symbolize British dominance—the trials charged Sahgal, Dhillon, and Khan with treason, murder, and abetment under colonial laws. The British aimed to discredit the INA, but the proceedings ignited widespread unrest.

The Congress established the INA Defence Committee, comprising luminaries like Bhulabhai Desai (lead counsel), Tej Bahadur Sapru, Kailash Nath Katju, Asaf Ali, and Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru, resuming legal practice after decades, donned his barrister’s attire to argue for the officers, framing their actions as patriotic. The defense contested the charges’ validity, asserting the INA’s sovereignty.

Public fury—manifested in protests, strikes, and mutinies in the Royal Indian Navy—forced the British to commute life sentences and release the officers. Congress’s role amplified the INA’s impact, hastening Britain’s 1947 withdrawal.

Contemporary Narratives: RSS and BJP’s Accusations Against Nehru

Today, the RSS and BJP frequently accuse Nehru of opposing Bose, citing his 1939 Congress resignation and alleged neglect of Bose’s death inquiries. Initiatives like declassifying Bose files and erecting his statue at India Gate are portrayed as rectifying Nehru’s oversights. Critics view this as appropriating Bose’s militarism for Hindutva, while vilifying Nehru.

Bose’s family, including daughter Anita Bose Pfaff and grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose, counters that the BJP-RSS misaligns with Netaji’s secularism. Historical evidence shows Nehru and Bose shared mutual respect, with differences political rather than personal. Nehru’s trial involvement refutes animosity claims.

Bose’s Rejection of RSS Ideology: Communalism as Societal Poison and British Alignment

Bose vehemently opposed communalism, equating the Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League as threats that “spread venom” and fragmented society. He criticized Savarkar’s Hindutva as politicizing religion harmfully. Bose’s socialism clashed with RSS views, and he invited but was spurned by them for INA collaboration.

The RSS abstained from anti-British movements like Quit India, with leaders like Hedgewar advising against participation and even collaborating under “Divide and Rule.” This non-involvement contrasted Bose’s active resistance.

Conclusion: Preserving Bose’s Authentic Vision

The Red Fort Trials illustrate Congress’s solidarity with Bose’s allies, with Nehru’s defense contradicting rivalry myths. Bose’s legacy of inclusive nationalism rejects communal division. Modern appropriations distort history; honoring his anti-communal stance ensures a united India.

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