GS1 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): SC Bose vs Mahatma Gandhi | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Highlight the difference in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom. (UPSC GS 1 MAINS )

Although Subhash Chandra was a follower of Gandhi during the initial days, the later part of the 1930s witnessed a growing radicalization of his thoughts and Bose became increasingly frustrated with the lack of momentum in the independence movement. This caused increasing differences in their approaches.

Differences are as follows:

• Basic Ideology: Bose was a nationalist who believed in the tradition of Tilak and Aurobindo (Extremists). Gandhi, on the contrary, was a nationalist who belonged to the tradition of his mentor Gokhale (Moderates) and Tagore. Bose’s strong revolutionary urge for the emancipation of his motherland made him critical of many of Gandhiji’s techniques. 
• Strategy to achieve independence: Netaji’s demand for complete freedom of India from the British in contrast to Gandhi’s want for independence in phases through dominion status. 
  • Bose has also been unambiguous that he would seek political emancipation through the most efficacious means which could involve armed conflict or even a total war. 
• Future of India post independence: Gandhi was hostile to industrialization, while Bose saw it as the only route to making India strong and self-sufficient. Gandhi advocated a back to the roots vision comprising of spinning, khadi and local self-sufficiency at village level while Bose held steadfast to a futuristic vision of large scale industrialization and a politics devoid of irrationality and religiosity. 
• Bose was influenced by the success of the five-year plans in the Soviet Union and he advocated for a socialist nation with an industrialized economy Bose wanted to develop free India as a modern, industrialized nation with focus on advances in science, livelihood, and education for the masses. 
• Idea about freedom: Bose believed that freedom is never given; it is taken, while Gandhi on the other hand sought to attain his Swaraj through loyalty to the empire and a change of heart on their part. 
• Non cooperation movement: Gandhi wanted a mass non-violent movement. Putting pressure on British raj by non-violent means such as fasting .However when Chauri Chaura incident occurred Gandhi ended the non cooperation movement abruptly but Bose thought that was the right time for mass movement against British. 
• Second World War: Bose wanted to strike down the enemy when it was vulnerable. During the second world war Bose wanted to take action against British which was opposed by Gandhi as he thought it was not ethically right.
• Military: Bose wanted a organized military campaign and he dint mind being included in a lot of international politics. Bose’s Azad Hind force joined axis powers in WW2 against British.

Topics Covered - Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi