Freedom struggle: Govt has no record on Netaji's role

In a shocking revelation, the government has said it has no information in its records about the contribution of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose to India's freedom struggle.

This admission has come from a senior government officer in response to an application by Delhi-based Dev Ashish Bhattacharya under the Right to Information Act.

Bhattacharya approached the Union Home Ministry with five questions in which he had sought information on what role Bose had in the freedom movement.

The applicant had also sought information on whether India maintains any protocol with regard to Bose and whether he fits somewhere in that protocol.

"The information on points in your letter is not available in the records," S K Malhotra, deputy secretary in the home ministry, said in reply to Bhattacharya's petition.

"It was shocking for me to have this response," Bhattacharya said.

Bose may have contributed immensely towards India and made people aware about their strength to fight the British man-to-man, but the government says it has no documents to substantiate this, said Bhattacharya.

"It is common knowledge about the formation of Indian National Army and that it came within striking distance of the Indian mainland before being pushed back from Moreh in Manipur, but this historical fact, the government is reluctant to put on record in response to my application," he said.

The applicant had also sought to know as to how much had the government spent to spread the message of Bose on his birth anniversary on January 23.

"If the government has decided to forget Netaji and his importance and contributions towards our nation then there must be some compelling reasons. What are those reasons," Bhattacharya asked in his application.

The Union Home Ministry when contacted said it did not have any records to supply to him.

"Now, this is something shocking. How are we going to make our future generation aware of the great freedom fighters of the country who were instrumental in freeing us from the shackles of the British," Bhattarcharya said.

He said he had decided to file an RTI after not seeing even a small advertisement in the daily newspapers or television or radio on his birthday.

"The history of each nation is as important as its mankind. The persons who have played major roles for the welfare of the nation should always be remembered and their philosophy should be conveyed to the people of the nation on important occasions.

"The process creates a sense of unity and pride among the people of the nation. If the government wants to forget Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, then let the message be loud and clear that all Indians should forget the great hero of our freedom struggle," the petitioner said.