West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee asks Centre to declassify Netaji-related files

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday demanded declassification of files of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose from the central archives by the Centre.

"The central government should declassify files in the central archive. The Bengal government has already declassified 64 files in the state archive," she said, speaking at a programme organised in North Bengal's Alipurduar district to pay homage to Netaji on his birth anniversary. "Netaji Subhas Chandra was a victim of conspiracy," Banerjee said.

She had demanded declassification of the files earlier as well, along with declaration of Netaji's birthday as a national holiday. The CM said it is unfortunate that the people of the country know the iconic freedom fighter Netaji's birthday but they are not aware of the date of his death. "I feel sad when I think that we do not even know what actually happened to Netaji," she said.


Banerjee said Bose is a true political guide for the entire nation. "Bose was a true leader and pathfinder. He was the founder of the Indian National Army," she said. The former Planning Commission was also Bose's brainchild, she said.

"Bose was such a visionary who believed in the unity of all religions. He was dedicated to the welfare of everyone. But it is unfortunate that we do not have any idea about where he actually vanished," Banerjee said.