Road to Freedom

(A play for the Netaji Centennial, 1997)

Bijoy Misra

Shishu Bharati School, Burlington, Mass.

January, 1997

Narrator: To protest against his illegal imprisonment Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose started a "Fast unto Death" in Calcutta prison in November, 1940. Popular reaction to the fast was enormous and the British yielded by releasing him and forbidding him to leave Calcutta. Netaji made a plan of sick health and disguise to escape British attention.)

First Scene

(Netaji's residence in Calcutta. He is lying on a bed. He has long beards. He slowly gets up from bed and walks across the room.Comes to the front of the stage.)

Netaji : My country's freedom is my only dream. The efforts by Congress appear to me as half-hearted. The British are only making promises without meaning to fulfill them. And, there are people in our country who wish to preserve the British Empire.

(Reflects)

In the world, a new age is dawning. A true patriot says that his own fate must be decided by himself. We are ready to cooperate with any nation that will help us regain our independence. India has decided to fight for her freedom. We will not cease fighting until Mother India is free!!

(Sister-in law enters the room).

Sister-in-law: Subhas, you take rest. Do not get agitated. Your health is most important. Once you are well, you can do everything.

(Sister-in-law leads Subhas to bed and leaves. Subhas gets up again.)

Netaji: Yes, health is important. But our country's freedom is more important than my health. The whole country is suffering.

(Reflects..)

It's time for me to take an active path. I must escape the British oppression. I have grown this beard for the last forty days such that I can disguise myself as a Maulvi. And, I have my dress. I will take car to Burdwan and then go by train to Peshawar. My friend will help me at Peashawar to take me to Kabul. I will seek help from Russian Embassy in Kabul. God willing, I will be successful in my mission.

Narrator Netaji left Calcutta on January 15, 1941 and reached Peshawar on January 18, 1941. He took the disguise name of Ziauddin. He and his friend Rahmat reached Kabul on January 22, 1941.

Second Scene

( A rest house in Kabul. Snow is falling outside. Rahmat and Netaji are dressed as Pathans. A plain clothed police detective is looking suspiciously from a distance.)

Detective: (approaches) Who are you people? What has brought you here?

Rahmat: We are travellers from the border tribes. He is my elder brother. He is both deaf and dumb. The poor fellow is ill for a long time.. So I have brought him for pilgrimage to Sukhi Sahib shrine. Since the road to Sukhi Sahib is closed due to heavy snow fall, we have stopped here. When the road reopens, we will resume our journey.

Detective: I cannot believe all this. You better come with me to the police station.

Rahmat: Why do you harass the poor travellers? My brother can't even walk because of the bitter cold.

Detective: I don't believe your stories.

Rahmat: Come along then. I will go to the police station. My brother is sick. He will remain here.

Detective: All right. Had you both not been ill, I would have taken both of you for interrogation. Now that he is ill and you are travellers, I have pity on you. Try to get away from here as soon as possible.

Rahmat: We will leave today provided the road is clear.

Detective: Ok. Khan, take rest. It is very cold. Give me some money for tea!

(Detective winks at Rahmat. Rahmat passes on two rupee bills to the Detective. Detective leaves.)

Rahmat: Six days have gone by. I have tried to talk to the Russian Ambassador,

he doesn't seem to be helpful. Italian Embassy says that they would help, but no progress there either. Here this policeman continues to harass every day..

Netaji: We must first leave this place for a more secure lodging.

Rahmat: I will try to locate a contact named Uttam Chand who has a business in this town. Possibly he could accommodate us.

Third Scene

(Lala Uttam Chand's house)

Narrator: Lala Uttam Chand was delighted to know that Netaji Subhas Bose was seeking accommodation in his house. As an understanding, he promised not to reveal Netaji's identity to any one, even to his wife.

Wife: (grudgingly) I don't like strangers moving around in my house. You have not been truthful to me. Who are these people? Why are they here?

Uttam Chand: I have never withheld any information from you. But this time is different. If you insist, I will tell you. But you promise that you must not reveal this information to any one.

Wife: I promise that I won't tell any one.

Uttam Chand: The deaf man whom we are giving shelter is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Rahmat is his helper. They will be here for a few extra days.

Wife: I am honored that such a man has indeed come to our house. He is a true son of the soil. I will try my best to make his stay comfortable. Nobody would notice his presence.

Fourth Scene

(March 13, 1941. Lala Uttam Chand's house)

Uttam: Now we have two choices. You can go with my Pathan friend and enter Russia across the border and identify yourself to the Russians to seek help. Or, you can leave with the Italian passport under the name of Karatine. You will have to go by road to Moscow and then to Berlin.

Rahmat: But he does not like to go to the Nazis or the Fascists. He prefers to go to Russia, who might help India to gain independence.

Netaji: To smuggle myself to Russia is risky. I have tried to approach them for two months and have had no success. The Germans and the Italians are fighting against the British imperialism, so they should be considered our friends. I will go and meet with them and form an Indian National Army to fight against the British. To free my country from the foreign rulers is my ultimate goal.

(thinks)

Let me take this opportunity to go to Berlin. Let's pray that all will be well for our Motherland.

(Bose and Rahmat keep packing and plan leaving.)

Fifth scene

Narrator: Netaji left Kabul for Moscow by road and then flew to Berlin. He reached Berlin on March 28, 1941. India Independence League was formed in Singapore on June 24, 1942. The formation of Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauz) was announced on July 5, 1943. On March 18, 1944, the Azad Hind Fauj under the supreme command of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose liberated the eastern sections of India. Netaji took salute of Indian soldiers in Andamans on July 4, 1944.

( Stage lights. Indian National Army Headquarters in Andamans. Netaji is standing on a platform in military dress. The soldiers are marching by with salute. Netaji salutes back.)

Song: Azadi ke ham hain sipahi,

bolo Jai Jai Hind

Jai bharat ki gunj uthao,

bolo Jai Jai Hind.

Jai Hind bolo, Jai Hind bolo,

Jai Hind bolo

Jai Hind Bolo, Jai Hind bolo.

....... ....... .....

(curtain)