The release of100 files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, has not set the India/ New Delhi on flames.True it has evoked huge response but the declassified papers haven't thrown any new light on the circumstances surrounding Bose's disappearance or death. Prime Minister Modi has surely fulfilled his promise given to Bose's family members about declassifying all files related to him. However it would have been better had the whole bunch of files been released at one go. In such case Modi Govt could have escaped criticism that the periodic release is politically motivated.
Though the move has garnered accolades from die-hard fans of the INA chief and his family members, it has also served to ruffle the feathers of those within the Congress .Even then,the declassification was welcome move by the Modi Govt. But my friend gave me different perspective to the whole affair. He was of the opinion that ever since the present Govt came to power, a concerted campaign has been launched to denigrate Nehru, and thereby the Congress. After appropriating Sardar Patel's legacy as a foil against that of Nehru, it is now using Netaji's communications, was my friend's opinion.
The three commissions set up so far have failed to give a conclusive explanation on the circumstances leading to Netaji's death.The most plausible theory that still holds is that he died in a plane crash. However according to some, this theory is a trash, while some say that he was not in that plane at all, while according to some others, the crash of an airplane in that area , on that date never took place. There are also rumours that he resurfaced in India in the guise of Sadhu, as per some others theory he was spotted in China in his later years.
After reading some articles in news papers recently and also after listening to the observations of some intellectuals, on this subject on TV, what I have understood that the declassified files have confirmed what one had always believed --- that Jawaharlal Nehru was too noble a soul to allow his political differences with Netaji to influence him at a personal level. Witness the steps he took to ensure the financial well being of Netaji's widow and decision not to bring the mortal remains of Netaji from the Renkoji temple out of the regards for the sentiments of his kin. It was Nehru who donned his barrister gown after a long gap to put up spirited defence of the arrested INA officers at the famous trail at Red Fort and on the other hand Netaji too had such a high regard for Nehru, that he even named o
Welcome as the declassification is, it must have disappointed those who were clamouring for it to find documentary evidence to support their allegations of wrong doing against Nehru. The truth be told, hardly any one who can be spoken of in the same breath as Gandhi, Nehru, Patel or Netaji. To overcome this handicap they have gone about planting stories. Unfortunately the statements of some of Netaji's kin have only aided this game plan.
However, the declassification will only give room for fresh research leading to needless controversies. What really happened to him is anybody's guess and stale subject to the common man as of now. The emerging truth is of no use and will have very little impact on the lives of the ordinary Indians. Both the earlier classification and the recent declassification were purely political acts.
To me, the Govt has better things to do instead of wasting time and energy in a pointless search for resurrecting incriminating documents as evidence of Nehru's role in Netaji's death. Let it focus on pressing issues of the day, like the growing menace of terrorism, price rise and atrocities against weaker sections etc and think hard on why " Acche din" promised by our PM during the elections, still elude the common man.
