Declassification of

Netaji files Good

work or a Mistake?
Kilaru Jyothi

Introduction:
The one to inspire thousands, not just the thousands that lived in his
lifespan but thousands of generations to come, One of the greatest
leaders to contribute to the freedom fight movement of our country,
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was known for his fearlessness and
unbound gallantry.
For years Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses kins have demanded the
declassification of the files that contained the mysteries of his
disappearance and death. For various political reasons the erstwhile
governments had all kept the files classified until last year when PM
Modi announced the disclosure of these files.
Some are now calling this move a political ploy while the others are
joining the controversy surrounding the mysteries of the death of
Netaji.
5/4/16

Declassification of Netaji files Good work or a

Mistake

Good work:
Because his kins have a right to know: His family had every right
to claim the disclosure of Netaji files to know what led to his
mysterious disappearance and why the erstwhile government made it
a point to keep the files confidential from public domain.
Because the nation has the right to know: The mystery of his
death that was not revealed in our history books shall now be filled
in. The curiosity of what could have happened to a leader so great
will be answered.
Transparency:The whole act of keeping files about personal lives of
leaders or events of historical importance classified and confidential
is against the transparency system that we want to prevail. Doubts
and misunderstandings prevail when things are kept secret.
5/4/16

Declassification of Netaji files Good work or a

Mistake

Good work:
Curiosity killed the cat:The Khosla inquiry commission and other
boards that had access to the files had always maintained that the
declassification of the files would lead to law and order problems.
However, the Central Information Commission (CIC) confirmed that
this was a facile hypothesis with very little facts that could alter
the state of law and order.
The cash over ash issue:Japan nudged India again and again to
take back the ashes of one of its most liked freedom fighters. Indian
government in turn gave them huge donations to upkeep the ashes
as well as classified documents. The hidden files were costing more
than the declassification is going to cost the government. It was all
about myths and evidences around the acceptance of Netajis death
in the plane crash
5/4/16

Declassification of Netaji files Good work or a

Mistake

Mistakes:
Downgrading political figures:It has been brought out from the
files that Netaji was planning against the Nehru Government,
looking for a chance to strike, though it is not confirmed that the
messages were actually from Netaji or an imposter who kept him
alive. There is going to be no evidences to prove anything in this
regard and the image tainting will be the only thing to continue.
Question of authenticity:The documents are said to be forged
and the authenticity not known. In such a case the government
should have acted wiser and released only those files that had
proper evidences to attest to the truth of Netajis whereabouts.
Netajis only kin, his daughter had accepted the death of her father
in the plane crash and her sentiments should have been given
priority instead of his distant relatives demands.
5/4/16

Declassification of Netaji files Good work or a

Mistake

Mistakes:
Political interests:The manners of declassifying these
files by the Modi government smell of politics. They
were deliberately released in bulk, over the internet
where everyone could have access to them and judge
the erstwhile government based on its content, not
clear whether a myth or truth. It could be taken as a
measure to cover the failures of the government and to
divert the interests in the other direction. For political
purposes such moves should not have been fabricated.

5/4/16

Declassification of Netaji files Good work or a

Mistake

Conclusion:
The Netaji files had already gathered much needed attention
of public and then to keep it closed would have created
curiosity for generations. It is a good move by the
government towards bringing transparency in the system.
With evidences more clear, the government could take apt
decisions whether or not to bring the ashes back instead of
paying Japanese priests to upkeep the ashes.
The government must also consider declassifying remaining
Netaji files under intelligence bureau, law ministry and
international agencies. The Modi government kept its promise
of declassifying the files which is a much applauded move.
5/4/16

Declassification of Netaji files Good work or a

Mistake