India would not have been partitioned if Netaji Subhas Bose was there: NSA Ajit Doval
New Delhi, Jun 17: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had the audacity to fearlessly challenge the British and India would not have been partitioned if he was there at that time, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on Saturday.
Doval said Bose was determined to fight the British for India's Independence and never wanted to beg for freedom, adding he not only wanted to end political subjugation but felt that the political, social, economic and cultural mindset of the people has to be changed and "they should feel like free birds in the sky".
The National Security Advisor (NSA) said this while delivering the first Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose memorial lecture organised by the industry chamber ASSOCHAM.
In the course of his address, Doval delved into various aspects of Bose's life and noted that he even had the audacity to challenge Mahatma Gandhi. But at the same time, Doval noted that Bose had a deep respect for Gandhi.
"The seed, the idea that came to his mind was 'I will fight the British, I will not beg for freedom. It is my right and I will have to get it'," Doval said.
"India would not have been partitioned if Subhas Bose was there. Jinnah said I can accept only one leader and that is Subhas Bose," he added.
Doval said Bose's contribution to India is exemplary.
"In Indian history, there are very few parallels or in global history where people had the audacity to sail against the current -- and not an easy current. It was the current of the mighty British empire," he said.
"Netaji said I will not compromise for anything less than full independence and freedom," Doval said.
Netaji said "I want to free this country not only from political subjugation" but felt that the political, social, economic and cultural mindset of the people has to be changed, and "they should feel like free birds in the sky", the NSA added.
"Bose possessed audacity like no other. He had the courage to challenge the prevailing powers, regardless of the consequences. His audacity was evident throughout his life, from his journey to London for the ICS to his escape from India during detention. He displayed unparalleled bravery and determination," Doval said.
Highlighting the legacy of Bose, Doval spoke about Netaji's ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds and how he envisioned a unified and strong India.
"Bose's leadership was exceptional. He recognised India as a reality, transcending divisions of caste, religion, and ethnicity. His vision of a united India is encapsulated in his famous slogan 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja'.
"It resonated with people across all walks of life. He inspired them to fight for their country, united in their pursuit of freedom," Doval said.
The NSA said Bose was a secular person and that he was deeply religious.
Doval said Bose's efforts were driven by his passion for patriotism and his unwavering dream of a great India.
The NSA said Bose was a highly religious man.
"Bose's efforts were monumental, fuelled by his romantic ideals of patriotism and his unwavering hope for a great India.
"History may have been unkind to him, but his impact and nationalism continued even after his passing. He left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of countless Indians who were inspired by his extraordinary journey," he said.
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Syria says Israeli strikes leave 18 dead in the biggest toll since the war in Gaza began
Masyaf (Syria), Sep 9: The number of people killed in overnight Israeli strikes in Syria has risen to 18 with dozens more wounded, Syria's health minister said on Monday — the largest death toll in such an attack since the beginning of the war in Gaza.
One of the sites targeted was a research centre used in the development of weapons, a war monitor said. Syrian officials said civilian sites were targeted.
Israel regularly targets military sites in Syria linked to Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Those strikes have become more frequent as Hezbollah has exchanged fire with Israeli forces for the past 11 months against the backdrop of Israel's war against Hamas — a Hezbollah ally — in Gaza.
However, the intensity and death toll of Sunday night's strikes were unusual.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of war-torn Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. The strikes often target Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups.
Israel has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment in Syria, particularly since Syria is a key route for Iran to send weapons to Hezbollah.
Israeli strikes hit several areas in central Syria, damaging a highway in Hama province and sparking fires, Syrian state news agency SANA said.
Speaking to reporters, Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabbash described the strikes as a “brutal and barbaric aggression”. He said the death toll had risen to 18 with nearly 40 wounded.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, said 25 were killed, including at least five civilians, while the others included Syrian army soldiers and members of Hezbollah and other Iran-linked armed groups.
One strike targeted a scientific research centre in Masyaf, and others struck sites where “Iranian militias and experts are stationed to develop weapons in Syria”, the observatory said. It said the research centre was reportedly used for developing weapons, including short- and medium-range precision missiles and drones.
Minister of Electricity Mohammad al-Zamel said the strikes had caused “truly significant” damage to water and electricity infrastructure.
“This brutal attack targeted civilian targets, and the martyrs were mostly civilians, as were the wounded,” he said.
Local media also reported strikes around the coastal city of Tartous, which the observatory said were the result of air defense missiles falling.
On Monday afternoon, a charred car remained at the scene of one strike and smoke was still rising from some spots where fires had been put out.
