'Can't follow Netaji, Savarkar together': Subhas Chandra Bose's kin to RSS chief

Subhas Chandra Bose's grandnephew on Monday objected to Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat's claim of similiarity between the goals of his right-wing organisation and of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, saying one cannot follow RSS ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Netaji together. Chandra Kumar Bose, who was dropped as Bengal BJP vice-president in 2020, said Netaji was the “only leader to date who was inclusive and secular.”

“RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat must be clear about what he wants, you can't follow Savarkar and Netaji together, they can't be on the same page,” ANI quoted Bose as saying.

Speaking on the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, Mohan Bhagwat had said the goals of RSS and that of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose are similar - making India a great nation.

"We remember Netaji not only because we are grateful to him for his valuable contributions towards the freedom struggle but also to ensure that we imbibe his qualities. His dream of India, which he wanted to build, is still not fulfilled. We have to work to achieve it," he said.

The RSS chief further stated, "We have Subhasbabu's ideals in front of us to follow. The goals he had are our goals too... Netaji had said India is a smaller version of the world and the country has to provide relief to the world. We all have to work towards it,"

Underlining that achieving the goal is essential, he said, "there can be different paths, and these are described as ‘isms’ (ideologies), which might differ but what is important is the goal.”

Bhagwat said it was freedom fighters' selfless life, struggle and penance that continued to inspire people.

"Netaji sacrificed his life for the country. He never let selfishness get the best of him. He was highly educated and could have lived a luxurious life. But he chose exile and dedicated his life to the country.