“Opinion | The Strategic Genius Of Netaji & Why October 21 Should Be India’s True Independence Day”, News 18, October 23, 2025
“Travel back in time a few months after Japan catapulted into the Second World War on December 7, 1941. For the allies, the red flags were tagged as with lightning speed, Japan dribbled past Malaya, overran Rangoon and took over Singapore. Simultaneously, Germany and allies were dealing shattering blows to enemies of Europe and someone needed to intervene the points on the circle.
Roosevelt and Chiang Kai Shek prevailed upon the British for the Indian scenario and thus was deputed Sir Stafford Cripps to win over the Congress. Cripps promised dominion status and rights of provinces to secede, which was not in line with. Congress’s demand for full transfer of power and without any secession. The curtains were drawn leading to Gandhi defining it as a “post-dated check on a crushing bank”. The proposal unknowingly did a favour though.
Failure of the mission had a catalytic effect on the mood of the official leadership of the Congress. That perhaps gave rise to the slogans Quit India and Do or Die. At last Gandhi and Netaji converged. Subhas wanted to take advantage of the war while Gandhi did not. This convergence was the most significant landmark in the march of Indian people to freedom. So, while the Quit India movement was taking small footsteps, Subhas was on the prowl……”
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