Mamata Banerjee Renews Call for Netaji Files Declassification on 129th Birth Anniversary
Marking the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday renewed her demand for the Union government to declassify all remaining files related to the freedom fighter. The appeal, made through a public message and commemorative events in Kolkata, brought renewed focus to the long-standing questions surrounding Bose’s disappearance and the broader debate over historical transparency.
Netaji’s birth anniversary, observed as Parakram Diwas, coincided this year with Saraswati Puja, a festival closely associated with learning and youth in Bengal. The overlap added symbolic significance to the occasion, particularly as Banerjee linked Bose’s legacy to ideals of unity, education, and democratic values.
Call for Transparency on Netaji’s Disappearance
In her message, the Chief Minister described it as “deeply unfortunate” that decades after 1945, uncertainty continues over what happened to Netaji after the end of the Second World War. She reiterated that the West Bengal government had already declassified all files related to Bose that were held in state archives and made them accessible to the public.
“The mystery of Netaji’s disappearance remains unresolved even today,” Banerjee said, urging the Centre to follow the state’s example by releasing all remaining documents preserved in central repositories. According to her, full disclosure would help address public questions and honour the historical importance of one of India’s most influential freedom fighters.
The demand for Netaji Files Declassification has been raised repeatedly over the years by historians, political leaders, and Bose’s admirers, many of whom argue that transparency is essential for historical accountability and public trust.
Emphasis on Netaji’s Inclusive Vision
Beyond the issue of files, Banerjee used the occasion to highlight Bose’s vision of India as a nation built on unity across religion, region, language, and gender. She recalled that Netaji viewed India as belonging equally to all communities and described the Azad Hind Fauj as a living example of secularism and collective struggle.
According to the Chief Minister, Bose’s leadership demonstrated that freedom, dignity, and sovereignty were non-negotiable values. She said that paying true tribute to Netaji required not only remembrance but also adherence to his principles of communal harmony and universal brotherhood.
Her remarks came amid a broader political debate over national identity, history, and cultural representation, with Banerjee cautioning against what she described as attempts to dilute or selectively reinterpret the contributions of national icons.
Steps Taken by the State to Preserve Netaji’s Legacy
The Chief Minister also outlined initiatives undertaken by her government to preserve and promote Netaji’s legacy. These include the restoration of the Alipore Jail cell where Bose was once imprisoned, the organisation of exhibitions dedicated to his life and work, and the translation of his writings into multiple languages to reach a wider audience.
She referred to the state’s Taruner Swapna scheme, named after one of Bose’s works, under which students of Class XI in government schools receive financial assistance to purchase mobile phones or tablets. The scheme, she said, reflects Bose’s emphasis on youth empowerment and education in nation-building.
Appeal for Repatriation of Mortal Remains
The anniversary also saw a renewed appeal from Netaji’s family. His daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, called upon citizens and the government to support the transfer of her father’s ashes from Tokyo to India. The ashes are currently preserved at the Renkoji Temple in Japan.
In a statement issued ahead of Parakram Diwas, Pfaff said it was distressing that Bose’s mortal remains continue to lie outside his homeland so many decades after Independence. She reiterated her belief in the widely discussed account that Bose suffered severe burns in an air crash in August 1945 and later died from his injuries.
According to her account, Bose was travelling from Southeast Asia toward Japan when the aircraft reportedly crashed in Taipei. After his death, his remains were cremated, and the ashes were eventually taken to Japan. Pfaff has previously made similar appeals to the Prime Minister, seeking official steps toward repatriation.
A Debate That Continues Across Generations
The fate of Subhas Chandra Bose has long occupied a unique place in India’s collective memory. While several commissions and inquiries have examined different theories, public debate continues, fuelled by emotional, historical, and political dimensions.
Supporters of declassification argue that releasing all documents would either resolve lingering doubts or, at the very least, allow scholars and citizens to examine the evidence independently. Others caution that historical records must be interpreted carefully, without politicisation.
Looking Ahead
As India remembers Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 129th birth anniversary, the renewed calls for transparency and closure underline the enduring relevance of his life and ideals. Whether through the Netaji Files Declassification or the possible repatriation of his remains, the discussion reflects a broader desire to reconcile history with truth and dignity.
For many, the occasion served not only as a moment of tribute but also as a reminder that Bose’s message of unity, courage, and sacrifice continues to resonate in contemporary India.
