Q. Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose differed widely in their ways and methods and in their political and economic ideologies. Discuss. (250 words)

04 Mar, 2022 GS Paper 1 History

Approach

  • Briefly give a little introduction about Gandhi and Bose talking about their role in indian freedom movement
  • Discuss how despite their deep respect for each other their methods and ideas differed
  • Conclude suitably

Ans.

Mahatma Gandhi is perhaps the most widely recognized figure of the Indian Nationalist Movement for his role in leading non-violent civil uprisings. Subhas Chandra Bose (also called Netaji) is known for his role in India’s independence movement. A leader of the Indian National Congress, he was part of the more militant wing and known for his advocacy of socialist policies. Both of them were luminaries of Indian National movement and had deep respect for each other.

Gandhi called Bose the “Prince among the Patriots” while Bose was fully aware of Gandhi’s importance as a symbol of Indian nationalism and called him “The Father of Our Nation”.

Despite their common goals and desire and respect for each other, their ideology and methodology differed significantly.

Gandhi

 Shubhash Chandra Bose
Non-Violence versus Militant Approach
  • believed in ahimsa and satyagraha
  • Masses could only be involved through this
  • violent resistance alone could oust the alien imperialist rule from India.

Means and Ends
  • the means and ends were equally good.
  • One could not just use any means to achieve an end however desirable that end may be.
  • Bose had his eye on the result of the action.
  • He believed in seizing whatever opportunity was available to carry forward the struggle for freedom.

Form of Government
  • pre-modern, morally-enlightened and apolitical India state
  • According to his Swaraj, stress should be on self-governance through individuals and community building.
  • Democratic system would be inadequate
  • there should be “a synthesis of what modern Europe calls Socialism and Fascism

Ideas on Economy
  • Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj had its own brand of economic Vision.
  • He wanted a decentralised economy without state control.
  • Bose considered economic freedom to be the essence of social and political freedom.
  • He was all in favour of modernisation which was necessarily to be brought about by Industrialisation.
Religion
  • His religion was the basis of all his other ideas.
  • Subhash Bose believed in Upanishadic teachings and was inspired by Vivekanand.

Caste and Untouchability
  • Gandhi’s goals for society were mainly three: eradicating untouchability, maintaining the varna distinctions of the caste system and strengthening tolerance, modesty and religiosity in India.
  • Bose looked forward to an India changed by a socialist revolution that would bring to an end the traditional social hierarchy with its caste system; in its place would come an egalitarian, casteless and classless society.

Women
  • “Gandhi preached female virtues of bravery and independence, and a capacity to bear suffering.
  • He believed in female emancipation, in liberating women from age-old bondage to customs and man-made disabilities, social, economic and political.

Education
  • He was against the English system of education.
  • Gandhi also wanted the Hindu scriptures to be a part of education as they propounded discipline and self restraint.
  • Subhash Bose was for higher education, especially in the technical and scientific fields.

Gandhi and Subhash Bose had a deep respect for one another despite their hugely differing ideologies. Each appreciated the work done by the other in the national struggle for freedom