The Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR) may renew its focus on Subhash Chandra Bose and his contribution to India’s struggle for independence and encourage fresh research to dispel “misconceptions” about him.
The government body recently discussed a proposal on this at its first meeting days after it was reconstituted. At the meeting, eminent historian and author Purabi Roy flagged the need for carrying out extensive research on the role of the Indian National Army (INA) in India’s struggle for freedom, saying there were “few works” done on it so far.
“A special need has emerged to look into the misconception existing about Subash Chandra Bose. Therefore, there is need to pay special attention to the INA in the North East,” she said.
Some other members also joined the discussion and appreciated Roy’s suggestions. The meeting was presided over by the Council’s chairperson, Y Sudershan Rao. Sources told Deccan Herald the council was “seriously” examining the suggestion for an “extensive work” on the role and contribution of ‘Netaji’ and the INA in India’s freedom struggle.
If consensus among members evolved, the council may encourage “fresh research” on the life and contributions of Netaji. “The Council may again discuss the suggestion at its next meeting and decide how it can be carried forward,” sources said.
The disappearance of Netaji was recently back in focus after revelations that his family members were put under surveillance by the country’s first prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.
The ICHR has been in the news since the Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani appointed Rao, a retired professor of history from Andhra Pradesh, alleged to have close links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The recent reconstitution of the Council’s governing body for the next three years stirred a controversy with office bearers of the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana (ABISY) being inducted.
Narayan Rao, a professor at Berhampur University in Odisha and Ishwar Sharan Vishwakarma, a professor of Ancient History, Archaeology and Culture at Gorakhpur University were inducted as members. Former history professor of Manipur University and BJP's candidate for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency in 2014 Gangmumei Kamei was also inducted as a council member.