Efforts were made to ensure people forget Netaji’s legacy: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that efforts were made to make people forget the legacy and sacrifices of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose but even then his courage, patriotism, unflinching loyalty and service to the nation continued to inspire generations.

“Efforts were made to ensure that people forget the legacy and sacrifices of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. But they turned out to be futile. Netaji’s courage, patriotism, unflinching loyalty and selfless service to the nation continue to inspire generations,” said Shah.

He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the ‘Shauryanjali Programme’ at the National Library in Kolkata organised to pay homage to the revolutionaries of West Bengal.

Lauding Netaji for choosing to fight for his country over a comfortable service life after cracking the ICS, Shah said if Netaji chose his career over his country then the people would not have the opportunity to be proud of the “glorious history” of the Indian National Army (INA).

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He said that despite being a brilliant student Netaji left the job even after successfully clearing the ICS to make the point that the nation should be one’s top priority over everything.

“People’s love and respect for Netaji is still the same as it was many years ago. His indomitable spirit is a source of inspiration to many,” said Shah.

He also said that it was Bengal where Netaji formed the INA which waged war against the British Empire.

Shah said that Netaji’s popularity became evident when he was elected as the Congress president twice and at one time even by defeating the candidate of Mahatama Gandhi.

Urging the youth to enrich themselves by reading about Netaji’s life and legacy, Shah said that only a young generation that knows about history can build a strong nation.

The Home Minister inaugurated the ‘Biplabi Bangla’ exhibition held to pay tribute to freedom fighters of Bengal like Rash Behari Bose and Khudiram Bose and flagged off a cycle rally. Cyclists of three teams named after Netaji, Rash Behari Bose and Khudiram Bose will travel about 900 kilometres to spread knowledge about the freedom fighters.

Shah’s comments come at a time when the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) are engaged in a tug-of-war over appropriating Netaji’s legacy.