The Headquarters of the India independence League announced today that the representatives of the various branches of the League who met at Shonan today unanimously elected Sjt. Bose as President of the League.
In an address to members of the League, Sjt. Subhas Bose, the new President, said: “Before carrying out my duties as President of the League, I take the pledge to serve my Motherland and help my brethren in India to attain freedom. I appeal to all Indians to follow my lead and take a vow to be loyal to the country’s cause. Two conditions are essential for the speedy attainment of freedom: a favourable international situation, and a determination on our part not to rest till we reach our goal of complete freedom. I am convinced that Tripartite Powers are on our side and will be successful in their fight against Britain. I am aware that all the Axis Powers, and especially Japan, sympathise fully with us, and are ready to do all in their power to help us. Therefore, I say that the international situation is in our favour and has given us an opportunity to strike at our enemy.”
“We are not content with a civil disobedience campaign. We must take up arms against British Imperialism when the time is ripe,” declared Mr Subhas Chandra Bose. Continuing he said, “The Indian people are now morally prepared to employ other means for achieving independence. All organisations, whether inside or outside India, must now transform themselves to disciplined fighting organisations under our leadership, with the aim and purpose of taking up arms against British Imperialism when time is ripe. In order to mobilise all our forces effectively, I intend to organise a Provisional Government to lead the Indian revolution to a successful conclusion. To this end, it will have to prepare the Indian people, inside and outside India for an armed struggle which will be the culmination of all our national efforts since 1857. When the revolution succeeds and Anglo-American Imperialism is expelled from India, the task of the Provisional Government will be over. It will then make room for a permanent government to be set up inside India in accordance with the will of the Indian people. When our preparation for this last struggle is complete, it will be possible to bring the Indian struggle in line with the common struggle of the Tripartite Powers against our common enemies. By participating in this common fight, we shall be qualifying ourselves for independence.” Mr Bose concluded with these words: “India’s liberty depends entirely on our own efforts and our willingness to sacrifice our all for that cause. I cannot say that so far our efforts, though courageous and determined, have been quite successful. Only a violent and armed struggle will bring us freedom. Hence, from today our struggle against Britain will have to be an armed one. In order to mobilise our forces effectively I intend to organise a temporary National Government in India. This government will have full powers to prepare Indians in India as well as outside for an armed struggle, and it will be the duty of the government to carry on the struggle against Britain to a successful conclusion. When the revolution succeeds and we are free, a permanent National Government will be formed in accordance with the wishes of the people. I stress that only by forming a temporary Government shall we be able to complete our preparations for the final struggle and join the Tripartite Powers in their fight against Britain. I trust I need not remind you that India’s liberation is bound up with an Axis Victory.”
—SINGAPORE RADIO, July 4, 1943.