153. Inertia of old leaders threw cold water on P.P.Doctorjee’s early plans to free Bharat:


Though he was barely 25 when First World War (1914) erupted in Europe, P.P.Doctorjee already had sound, analytical ideas about British regime and its military as well as political overthrow from Bharat.

Through various sources, he put together convincing proof that, only about 2000 British troops were left behind in India in 1914. Most of them were non-combat-worthy, older soldiers. Young, powerful combatants had been siphoned off to Europe to fight for British interests. P.P.Doctorjee thought that this created a golden opportunity to overthrow the British regime in Bharat.

He approached Dr. Moonje, who was then a well-known leader of All-India stature. P.P.Doctorjee said: “At this point, the British regime is at its weakest, militarily and morally. Now is the time for us to shake ourselves free from their yoke. We know for sure that their army is no more than 2000 strong. However, to create a false sense of their immense strength, the same garrison is being marched in grand parades in city after city. Let us, choose a date and declare ourselves free and sovereign. This declaration of Independence should occur simultaneously in Bharat, and its friends such as USA, France, Ireland, etc. We will then get enthusiastic support from our people as well as from international forums. Whatever meager resistance  that the British can muster would be overwhelmed by this national uprising, supported internationally. I truly feel that the golden moment for the declaration of total independence is very rear”.

But P.P.Doctorjee was still very young in those days. Aged people were at the helms of leadership. Even Dr. Moonje cherished the idea of “autonomous dominion” within the control of the British empire. He accepted P.P.Doctorjee’s analysis and evidence, but he did not take a single step forward!

How frustrated P.P.Doctorjee must have been, seeing the golden opportunity slip away helplessly, due to the enormous inertia of the geriatric leadership!

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