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'PM has will to declassify Netaji files, but bureaucracy slow'

Will force govt to declassify Netaji documents: Grandnephew
Last Updated 26 July 2015, 20:16 IST

 The death of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose has been shrouded in mystery for decades. But Chandra Bose, one of the grandnephews of the freedom fighter, believes that it cannot be so any longer. In fact, he and others who wanted to get to the bottom of the truth would “force the government to declassify” documents related to Netaji, said Chandra Bose.

In an exclusive chat with Deccan Herald after participating in a panel discussion titled ‘Truths about Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’  on Sunday, Bose said, “We will not allow it anymore. It is not optional for the government to not provide any information on the matter. If he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) goes back on his word, we will force him.”

In May, according to declassified government files, it was revealed that during Jawaharlal Nehru’s prime ministership, the Intelligence Bureau had kept a few relatives of Netaji under close surveillance. Bose had met Modi in Kolkata soon after the revelations. The prime minister had assured Bose that the matter of declassification would be taken forward.

Chandra Bose is optimistic about Modi’s intent. But, he is weary about the slow government response on the matter.

“I have sought an appointment with Modi in New Delhi. We are eager to take this forward. Modi is a dynamic leader, but the government machinery is slow. Even though the PM has the will, the same effect is not trickling down to the bureaucracy,” he said.
    
To make the case stronger, Bose will head to New Delhi to be part of a rally in Jantar Mantar along with representatives of 16 organisations on August 18, demanding that the documents related to Netaji should be declassified. This is part of a nationwide campaign.  Bose has already visited Mumbai and Silchar (Assam). Hyderabad will be his next destination.

He said: “A momentum has been building up in the country to uncover the truth.” He gave the example of IT professionals who were present during the panel discussion. “Despite being a family day, people came and waited patiently,”  Chandra Bose said.

SMS campaign

Chandra Bose also spoke about an SMS campaign to achieve the aim of declassification. “Through the campaign, we will ask voters to send an SMS to their MPs and MLAs on the issue of declassification and in turn this information, will go to the PM’s office,” he said.


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(Published 26 July 2015, 20:16 IST)

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