Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat  lauded the life and efforts of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose during an address in Imphal. Speaking on the freedom fighter’s birth anniversary, Bhagwat also noted Bose’s role in infusing the “fire of patriotism” among the people of India. 

The RSS chief is slated to begin a four-day visit to the north-eastern state from today. While all details of his tour schedule have not been divulged, an ANI report quoting sources indicated that he would be meet Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb along with other ministers of the state. An official order had dubbed Bhagwat a ‘Z+ security protectee’ who had been declared “state guest” by the government.

“He learned to use arms in the British army and instilled the fire of patriotism among the Indian people who had fought in the British army. He challenged the mighty English power. He had also announced independent India by coming here,” he said during an event organised by the RSS in Tripura. Bhagwat also paid floral tributes to Netaji on Sunday.

The founder of the Azad Hind fauj, Bose had played a crucial role in India’s freedom movement. Working on the maxim that “an enemy’s enemy is a friend”, he had sought the cooperation of Germany and Japan against the British Empire. The Indian National Army (comprised mainly of Indian prisoners of war) had proceeded towards India to liberate it from British rule. While the Azad Hind Fauj first stood on Indian soil in March 1944, the defeat of Japan and Germany in the Second World War had forced it onto the backfoot. While his fate remains shrouded in mystery, Bose was reportedly killed in an air crash on August 18, 1945. 

To commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of the freedom fighter, the government has decided to install a grand statue of Bose in the national capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji at India Gate that will remain in place till work on the actual statue is completed.