18 January, 2010

Bose and Basu

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

SS Ray and Jyoyi Basu

"The two great Bengali Heroes of 20th century are surely Bose and Basu, Subhas and Jyoti. Both should have become Prime Ministers. One was stopped by fate, the other prevented by his own party in 1996".

This is said by MJ Akbar, a prominent columnist. I have regards and respect to MJ but I beg to differ with him in some points. First of all he is not comparable with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the great freedom fighter. The word "Hero" of 20th Century is also not suitable for Mr. Jyoti Basu. He is not a hero like Netaji Subhas. Netaji fought for freedom for the country whereas Jyoti Basu fought for the rights of the workers and the result we all know. He may be a great leader of Communist movement, he may be a hero to some section of people but not a national hero like Netaji accepted by every Indian. Nobody can deny that he or his policies (too much of rights to workers) are in fact, responsible for making West Bengal a 'Industrial desert'. His Govt. was responsible for banning English in the the primary classes which "paralysed" a generation. He was a successful leader for developing his party (not the state) and ruling the state continuously for more than 3 decades. He did more goods to his party than the state. Therefore, he may be a hero to his party and his party men but not to everybody. So comparing Jyoti Basu with Netaji, is a insult to him (Netaji).People have become more emotional and comparing him with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

In a democratic system anybody can become a Prime minister. That does not mean that he is comparable to a National Hero like Netaji. Netaji could have become PM of this country that does not mean any PM can be equated with Netaji.




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