netaji

i did not exist to know the indian struggle for freedom. only as grown up i have read some history books written by tapan roy choudhury and others or else some eye witness accounts written in some bengali magazines. one such magazine had a story, i remember every time i hear 'netaji'. shruti.

before leaving india forever subhas was in house arrest. he used to pace up and down silently in his elgin road ancestral house veranda. all his nephews were concerned but discussed in low tone. once one of them started criticizing gandhi reading a news item, for his superior politics to isolate subhas from congress. gandhi mentioned God in some speech ... this nephew was mentioning about that news item saying " ... after all his politicking, gandhi is invoking god!" suddenly pacing outside in the varanda stopped. subhas walked in. he sternly asked which of you were criticizing gandhi. everyone was silent and dared not to speak. subhas then again said, "in my presence in this house and audible to me, i do not wish to hear any criticism of mahatma gandhi again."