PM to declassify 100 files on Netaji

Family members of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on Saturday expressed happiness over the declassification of over 100 secret files and suggested setting up of a committee to study them and inform the public about the various landmarks in his life.

Later, the Prime Minister went around taking a glance at the de-classified files and spoke to the members of the Bose family.

Kolkata: Just ahead of the election in Bengal, the BJP may have accrued an asset with considerable popular appeal- Chandra Kumar Bose, the grand nephew of iconic freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose.

Accordingly, the prime minister’s office had declassified the first lot of 33 files and handed them over to the National Archives of India on 4 December 2015.

Naidu was among a galaxy of leaders who paid floral tributes to Netaji at a function to mark his birth anniversary at the Parliament’s Central Hall.

“Your assurance to take care of the matter in one or two years was most gratifying to me as I have dedicated most of my life to the cause of Netaji Bose and the Indian National Army during war years, contributing in a small measure to the independence of India”. Ministry of External Affairs, which was under pressure from the Japanese government and the temple authorities, had not only reminded the Singh’s government but earlier as well about the issue of bringing back the ashes of Netaji.

FILE- In this October 13, 2013 file photo, electric wires are entangled around a statue of Indian freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose at road crossing during a cyclone in Berhampur, India.

The prime minister chose this day to declassify the secret files with a view of throwing some light on his mysterious disappearance. Even as these questions continue to haunt many admirers of Netaji, declassification of documents pertaining to Netaji’s death has revealed an interesting Karnataka connection.

The Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma is also seen. One of such revelations was about Mahatma Gandhi’s letter to Netaji’s family members. “His bravery & patriotism endears him to several Indians across generations”. It has fulfilled the long-standing public demand to access these files and will also facilitate scholars to carry out further research on Netaji.

“West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said”, We believe that the truth must come out through documentation and proof”.

What is there in these files that could upset Britain, Russia, Japan, Germany, China or Formosa (Taiwan) or any other nation where Netaji left his footprint as an unconventional military strategist?