Bhubaneswar, January 21: Ahead of the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, the Bharat Raksha Manch has reiterated its demand for declassification of the details of the secret files kept by the Odisha Government.
Earlier in 2016, the Manch too had made similar demand, but the Government had not taken any measures as yet.
In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Manch Odisha chapter president Dr Ashoak Acharya has written that, “The West Bengal Government has released all the files. The National Archives of India too has divulged the details of all their documents. I request you to please release any secret files that were maintained on Netaji and his INA veterans. If the Government of Odisha does not have any files, let this be known to the public. As the birthplace of this great patriot, the State of Odisha owes him this much.”
Manch secretary Anjan Kumar Debata demanded that Government should release the names of 1500 Odias who served the Indian National Army, many of them laid down their lives.
“Their stories remain unheard; their sacrifice has never been acknowledged. A proper memorial should be made and inscribed with the names of all the Odias who served under Netaji. The Netaji Museum at Katak has a pathetic collection of artifacts and books, proper materials should be collected and a study centre established,” said Debata.
Manch Mahila Morcha president Sanghamitra Rajguru has pointed out that the Ravenshaw Collegiate School at Cuttack, which is the alma mater of Netaji, is on the verge of ruins.
A few years back, the government of Odisha had taken steps to initiate proper conservation and restoration of the old building and the initial report was prepared by INTACH. However, the plans were shelved and now the building is in a dangerous state. She further said that the history of the INA should be compulsorily included in the School curriculum of the State. The Manch is holding a seminar on Netaji and the role of the Odia Soldiers in the INA on the 23rd at Bhubaneswar.
