This Article is From Aug 30, 2015

Family Approaches UK Government on Declassifying Netaji's files

Family Approaches UK Government on Declassifying Netaji's files

File Photo: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Berlin: Subhas Chandra Bose's family has approached the UK government, requesting it to declassify the relevant document on Netaji.

The family has approached the UK government, asserting that it has classified files on him besides Japan and Russia.

"My sister in London has approached the British government to declassify the files. They have admitted that they have files. But they have to go through them in detail. They have asked for more time." Mr Surya told PTI in Berlin..

Netaji's grandnephew Surya Kumar Bose, who had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue during his visit to Berlin in April, said he had written a letter to him days after the meeting but is yet to receive any response.

Asked about Modi government's approach on the issue, Mr Surya said he was hopeful on securing "closure" to the "mystery" over the issue.

He said the issue is being taken up with governments of Japan and America and that the family was determined to get to the bottom of it notwithstanding whatever comes out of the declassification of the files.

Surya Kumar Bose claimed that governments of Russia, Japan and the United States have information about Netaji and that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had their files open on him till 1985.

"I do not think opening up of those files will create issues with any present government. You cannot blame the present government for what had happened in 1945-46," he said.

Mr Surya said it was "high time" the mystery surrounding Netaji is brought to a close.

Toeing the line adopted by the UPA government, Prime Minister Modi's Office in February had refused to declassify the files relating to Netaji.

The Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday had told the Central Information Commission that it cannot declassify files related to Subash Chandra Bose as it will adversely affect relations with foreign countries.
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