Sociopolitical leader and chairman of the Nandini Sathpathy Memorial Trust (SNSMT) Suparno Satpathy on Tuesdayreleased a video message on Facebook and Twitter demanding notification of January 23 as ‘Patriots’ Day’
The SNSMT along with several other organisations since long has been associated with the movement for declassification of Netaji files. Ever since the pre-Independence era, there have been several files on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose which have been kept classified.
As believed by many, declassification of these files would unearth the truth about the greatness of Netaji, and that history of post-Independence India would need to be rewritten to accommodate Netaji’s due space in the same.
Supporting this movement, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was the first to declassify 64 Netaji files available in Kolkata. Following her, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 23, 2016 declassified 100 Netaji files. Ever since then, the National Archives of India for the past 10 months has been declassifying 25 Netaji files every month.
“There is a long way to go in solving the mystery of Netaji as there are several files to be declassified,” said grandnephew of Netaji, Chandra Kumar Bose.
“January 23 is the birth date of the patriot of patriots Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and there couldn’t be a better tribute to him than declaring the day as Patriots’ Day. This will not only mark respect for Netaji but for each patriot who enables a free and strong India,” said Satpathy.
Sources said the PMO has received a proposal for notifying January 23 as Patriots’ Day and it is under consideration.