Taking first steps to ensure files related to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose are declassified beginning January 23, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government on Friday handed over the first set of 33 files to the National Archives of India.
The first batch of “33 PMO files have been cleared, and were handed over to the National Archives of India today for further processing, preservation and digitisation, in preparation for the final release to the nation of all 58 files in the PMO”, the PMO said in a statement. The Government added that Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs are separately taking action for release of files under their custody.
On October 14, the PM had hosted the extended family of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at his home in 7-RCR.
Emphasising that history cannot be created by those who forget their own history, the Prime Minister had categorically stated that his Government did not believe in constraining or strangulating history in any way, and was committed to opening up information on Netaji to the people of India.
He had assured Netaji’s family that all possible effort towards the same would be made, from the declassification of Netaji files to taking up the matter with other nations. He had further promised that the declassification and public release of the files would begin on January 23, 2016, the birth anniversary of Netaji.
“Working towards this commitment, the Government has been undertaking the process of due diligence stipulated under declassification procedures and guidelines,” the PMO, in a statement said. “This marks an important milestone in fulfilling the long pending demand of the people of India, for the declassification of files related to Netaji,” the statement added.