In November 1945, the Commander-in-chief took the fateful decision of committing to trial three officers of Subhas Bose’s Indian National Army-a Hindu, a Muslim and a Sikh-before military court at Red Fort, Delhi. In its unwisdom, this equalled Irwin’s proposal for an all-white Simon Commission on reforms. The trial unleashed nationalist forces, Indian sympathies naturally being overwhelmingly the side of these martyrs to the cause of freedom.

A dramatic turn was given to the proceedings when Nehru appeared before the court wearing the barrister’s gown he had discarded twenty-five years earlier. It was a gesture, for the defence of the accused was largely conducted by Bhulabhai Desai. Jinnah too attempted to figure in the affair. He sent word to Shah Nawaz Khan, the Muslim on trial, that he would defend him if he dis- sociated himself from the other accused. Shah Nawaz Khan flatly declined, remarking: “We have stood shoulder to shoulder in the struggle for freedom. Many comrades have died on the field of battle inspired by our leadership. We stand or fall together.” An attempt to drive a communal wedge into the solidarity created by the I.N.A. movement thus failed.

(India from curzon to nehru and after by Durga Das, Page 224.)