Thanks to Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar for publishing a reasonably detail account of declassification of Netaji Files and their release to Netaji’s relatives and descendants and also to journalists. It is something the people of India and indeed many in the world have been waiting for the past 70 years. The timing of declassification is very important. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, has to face election very soon. Under her watch a number of Muslim extremist plots have been discovered in West Bengal. There is a question mark regarding her competence to provide safety and security in a free democratic system. Declassification of Netaji Files is a way to gain some popularity before the next election.
The period of 70 years is too long a time for these documents to be kept secret from the public. The reason that disclosure of them is likely to jeopardise friendly relation with foreign countries is nothing short of being dubious. It is perhaps an indication of a possible complicity between some Indian politicians at the time and foreign state/states on the cause of Netaji’s disappearance. As regards preserving friendly relations, the politicians of today whether in India or anywhere else are in no way responsible for what happened 70 years before. India is now led my Narendra Modi, the most competent politician of our generation. It is time to take steps to declassify the rest of Netaji Files. In case of any misunderstanding, in a mature democracy surely everything can be sorted out through amicable dialogue and rational debate.
Jatindra Saha
By email
