India Would Not Have Been Partitioned If Netaji Was There: NSA Ajit Doval

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Saturday said that India would not have been partitioned if Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was alive.

He said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah said that he could accept only one leader and that is Subhas Chandra Bose.

Delivering the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose memorial lecture in Delhi, Doval said he was the only leader who had the audacity to challenge Mahatma Gandhi and refused to beg for freedom from the British.

"Netaji had great faith in the capabilities of the people. Today, our priority should be to empower our citizens and make them internationally competitive," he said.

Doval highlighted how Bose fearlessly challenged British authorities, confronting a British principal during his college days, to resigning from the Indian National Congress at a young age, defying even Mahatma Gandhi. At the same time, Doval said Bose had great respect for Gandhi.

"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," he 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, 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.

"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.

"Netaji (Subhas Chandra Bose) said I will not compromise for anything less than full independence and freedom. He said that he not only wants to free this country from political subjugation but there is a need to change the political, social and cultural mindset of the people and they should feel like free birds in the sky," Doval was quoted saying by ANI.