Dec, 1945. Red Fort, Delhi
INA trials.
Netaji’s trusted aides Shahnawaz, Sehgal, Dhillon face the military tribunal. Several other INA officers and men are imprisoned in the Red Fort.
Gandhiji, now released from jail, meets them.
Gandhi: So? How are you all managing here?
INA men: The British are up to their tricks always…
Gandhi: Like?
INA men: You see, at Azad Hind Fauj, Netaji taught us that there will be no distinction of religion and region. We even dined together. But, here, the Britishers are hell bent on dividing us…. They even send us ‘Hindu-tea’ and ‘Muslim-tea’ in separate kettles…
Gandhi: …Why do u accept that?
INA men: WE DONT. We mix the Hindu-tea and Muslim-tea half and half, and then have it. The same with food
Gandhi: Well done. That is fantastic.
— —
(Ref: His Majesty’s Opponent – Sugata Bose, Pg 323)
(Photo: INA men, led by Capt Ram Singh Thakur, singing during a visit by Gandhiji, 1945/46)
Via Mahindra Vist’s Facebook post