Mamata Banerjee Targets Centre Over Netaji Files, Says Modi Govt Failed To Solve Disappearance Mystery

“You cannot proclaim love for Netaji by setting up a statue, what have you done to unveil the mystery behind his disappearance?” Banerjee asked.

New Delhi: Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said the ruling dispensation at the Centre failed to live up to its promise of unearthing the mystery behind Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s disappearance.

“You cannot proclaim love for Netaji by setting up a statue, what have you done to unveil the mystery behind his disappearance?” Banerjee asked.

“This government at the Centre had promised to unearth all mysteries after coming to power, but it failed,” she added during her speech here, PTI reported.

The Chief Minister maintained that her government on its part “digitised all files related to Netaji at our disposal” to make these available in public domain.

The TMC supremo said the ruling dispensation at the Centre, with the promise of installing Netaji’s statue, cannot absolve itself of the injustice done to West Bengal by rejecting its Republic Day tableau on the legendary freedom fighter.

Escalating her attack on Prime Minister Modi-led government, Banerjee reiterated that no reason was cited for summarily rejecting the tableau.

“We will roll out the tableau during the Republic Day parade on Red Road here. You (People) will see how vibrant and creative it is, summing up the spirit of Netaji's valour and our 75th Independence,” Banerjee said, PTI reported.

“The Centre cannot absolve itself of the injustice done to Bengal by rejecting its tableau,” she added.

Banerjee also lambasted the Central government over its move to merge Amar Jawan Jyoti with the National War memorial flame.

“Your act of extinguishing the Amar Jawan flame cannot be atoned by installing a statue of Netaji. Please stop politicising war memorials and statues,” she said.

Continuing her outburst, Banerjee also took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for “disbanding” the Planning Commission.

The TMC chief said that her government will set up the Bengal Planning Commission upholding Netaji’s objectives.

“The very concept of federalism came from stalwarts like Netaji, Rishi Aurobindo and Vivekananda. And BJP is out to destroy the federal spirit of the country as evident in all their steps,” said Banerjee.

“They are summoning the IAS officers from Bengal to Delhi. They had summoned our chief secretary in the past. They are disturbing our senior officials,” she added.

Without naming any party, Banerjee said attempts to change and distort the country’s history should be resisted.

“Those making such attempts should be asked if they have read the works of Netaji, his speeches. Remember his most trusted lieutenant in INA was a Muslim. The ones peddling the ideology of division and hatred must first learn about Gandhij, Netaji and B R Ambedkar,” she said.

Asserting that the glorious history of Bengal in freedom struggle should be taught in schools, Banerjee said: “India's national anthem was written by Rabindranath Tagore, our national song was penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the Jai Hind slogan was coined by Netaji.”

“Bengal and Punjab have made major contributions to the freedom movement,” she added.

The Chief Minister also used the occasion to list her government’s future plans.

Banerjee said “Jai Hind Bahini” would be formed in the schools as part of which the children would serve the people, upholding Netaji’s ideology.