Netaji’s Daughter Renews Plea to Bring Remains Home

Bringing Netaji Home: An Interview with Anita Bose Pfaff, Daughter of the Iconic Figure

On Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 128th birth anniversary, celebrated as Parakram Diwas, his daughter Anita Bose Pfaff continues to advocate for the repatriation of her father’s remains from Japan. Netaji’s ashes have resided at the Renkoji Temple in Tokyo for 80 years.

Pfaff’s plea highlights a longstanding desire to bring Netaji home, a sentiment shared by many who remember him as a towering figure in India’s independence struggle. She notes that successive Indian governments have, for decades, “hesitated or refused” to bring his remains back. “The priests of Renkoji Temple and the Japanese government were ready, willing, and eager to let his remains return to his motherland,” she asserts.

The decision to keep netaji’s remains in Tokyo has ofen been shrouded in secrecy and political sensitivity. Declassified documents from the Narendra Modi government in 2016 revealed that previous administrations believed Netaji died in an air crash in 1945. Even though they refrained from publicly acknowledging this, fearing public backlash, this hesitancy led to PV Narasimha Rao, then Prime minister, withdrawing his proclamation to posthumously award Netaji the Bharat Ratna after facing criticism that confirmed his death.

A Cabinet note signed by then Home Secretary K Padmanabaiah in 1995 further solidified the government’s stance,stating: “There seems to be no scope for doubt that he died in the air crash of 18th August 1945 at Taihoku. Government of India has already accepted this position. There is no evidence whatsoever to the contrary.”

Pfaff acknowledges the historical context surrounding her father’s death but emphasizes the need to accept the truth and bring him home. “Many people, also members of his own family, hoped he did not die on August 18, 1945, that he could escape persecution and death once again. Meanwhile, moast if not all documents pertaining to Netaji’s death – including 11 reports on investigations of the event – became available to the public. We must accept he died on that day, following an airplane crash on takeoff in Taipei, Taiwan,” she states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Netaji, calling him “an epitome of courage and grit” and emphasizing that his vision continues to inspire the nation. uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recalled Netaji’s famous slogan, “Tum mujhe khoon do, mein tumhe azadi dunga” (You give me blood, I will give you freedom), highlighting its enduring meaning during the freedom struggle.

How does Anita Bose Pfaff believe that Prime minister Modi’s declaration of “Tata,byeporrieta” has impacted the potential repatriation of her father’s remains?

Netaji’s Legacy: Bringing Subhas Chandra Bose Home at Last

Anita Bose Pfaff,daughter of the legendary Indian freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose,has dedicated her life to bringing her father’s remains back to India. Nearly a century after his disappearance, she believes the time has finally come for Netaji to rest in his homeland.

“No matter how much time passes, my father’s legacy continues to resonate,” Anita explains. “Indians young and old hold him in high regard. It feels right for his ashes to be welcomed back by his people and laid to rest in India.”

The repatriation of Netaji’s remains has been a long-standing issue, with successive Indian governments facing pressure from various quarters. While earlier administrations appeared hesitant or reluctant, Prime Minister Modi’s declaration of “Tata, Byeporrieta,” meaning “all departed have returned,” signifies a change in the narrative.

“It’s a powerful statement,” anita remarks, “and it’s opened up a national conversation about Netaji’s past and his legacy that was previously avoided.”

The circumstances surrounding Netaji’s death have remained a subject of debate for decades.The official account accepted by Anita is the Taihoku air crash of 1945, even though she acknowledges the enduring mystery surrounding her father’s life.

“I’ve found peace in accepting the reality of his passing,” she confesses. “We must face the truth, rather than cling to unfounded hopes and rumors. But,” she adds with a hint of wistfulness, “a spark of curiosity about Netaji’s enigmatic life will always remain.”

Despite the uncertainties, Anita is resolute in her belief that her father deserves to be laid to rest in India. “Netaji deserves peace and tranquility,” she concludes. “It’s time for him to return home.”

What impact do you feel the declassification of documents in 2016 has had on the movement to bring Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s remains back to India?

Archyde News: Bringing Netaji Home – A Conversation on the Repatriation of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Remains

Interviewer: Archyde’s Senior Correspondent, Meera Kapoor

Alex Reed: anita Bose pfaff, Daughter of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Meera Kapoor (MK): Good afternoon, Ms.Pfaff. Thank you for joining us today at Archyde News to discuss a matter that has long been close to your heart – the repatriation of your father’s remains from Japan.

Anita Bose Pfaff (ABP): Thank you, Meera.I’m pleased to be here, and I hope this conversation will further the cause of bringing my father home.

MK: Your father, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, is remembered as a national hero and a pivotal figure in India’s independence struggle. His remains have been at the Renkoji Temple in Tokyo for 80 years. What makes you believe that now is the right time to bring him home?

ABP: The time is overdue, Meera. We’re celebrating his 128th birth anniversary this year, and yet, his final remains are still in a foreign land. The hesitation or refusal of successive Indian governments to bring him home has been puzzling and frankly, painful, for our family and millions of his admirers. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to bring him back, not just for closure but also to pay our respects to the man who dared to dream of a free India.

MK: There has been considerable political sensitivity around this issue.Various governments have hesitated, citing ‘lack of concrete evidence’ or ‘shifting narratives.’ How do you respond to these arguments?

ABP: Yes, we’ve seen a long history of obfuscation and denial from the Indian government. But in 2016,the Narendra Modi government itself declassified documents that should have put an end to these debates. These documents confirmed what many of us have believed all along – that Netaji didn’t die in that air crash in 1945. Even if he did, it’s high time we accept the truth and bring him home.

MK: A Cabinet note from 1995, signed by then Home Secretary K Padmanabaiah, claimed there was ‘no scope for doubt’ that Netaji died in the air crash. How do you reconcile this with the 2016 declassification?

ABP: That Cabinet note was reflective of a policy of denial that had persisted for decades.The 2016 declassification should have changed everything. it acknowledged that earlier governments had accepted the ‘death in air crash’ narrative without any solid evidence. It’s high time we put an end to this suspense and bring netaji’s remains home.

MK: The Japanese government and the priests of Renkoji Temple have reportedly been willing to let his remains return to India. What role do you think they should play in facilitating this?

ABP: Indeed, both the Japanese government and the priests have shown willingness in the past. It’s crucial for them to continue their cooperation. We’ve seen instances where they’ve offered to send his remains back on Indian Navy ships. I believe both parties should work together, along with the Indian government, to ensure a dignified and respectful return of netaji’s remains.

MK: Lastly, Ms.Pfaff, what message do you have for the Indian government and citizens regarding this issue?

ABP: My message to the Indian government is clear: it’s time to end this suspense. Bring Netaji’s remains back home so that we can pay our respects to the man who dedicated his life to India’s freedom. To my fellow citizens, I urge you to join me in pressing for this cause. Let’s bring Netaji back home – where he belongs.

MK: Thank you, Ms. Pfaff, for your time and for your continued advocacy for this critically importent issue. We hope your efforts bear fruit soon.

ABP: thank you, Meera. I’m resolute to see this through, and I’m grateful for platforms like archyde that help amplify this cause.