Let's pay our homage

Subhash Chandra Bose affectionately remembered as Netaji was a devout patriot who strived his entire life to make his homeland free from the shackles of slavery. Bose’s vindication in Indian National Congress (INC) came in 1939 when he defeated a Gandhian rival for reelection. The ‘rebel president’ felt bound to resign because of the lack of Gandhi’s support. This aftermath formed Forward bloc and then Indian National Army. In August 1945, Bose, fleeing Southeast Asia, reportedly succumbed to the burn injuries of the plane crash in a Japanese hospital in Taiwan.

Lal Bahadur Shastri was second prime minister of India better remembered for his slogan ‘jai jawan, jai kisaan’ during the war of 1965 with Pakistan. The war officially ended with the Tashkent Agreement of 10 January 1966; he died inexplicably the following day, still inTashkent. The cause of death has been a subject of conspiracy theories. Government of India never took interest in pursuing the matter, investigating it and punishing the perpetrators of crime.

The issue why is Indian government is so reluctant about the death of its leaders. Three commissions were appointed to investigate the death of Netaji, apart from Taiwan neither British, Japan, Russia nor Indian government seemed to co-operate. The reports claim the plane crash of August 18, 1945 to be a hoax, but Indian government rejects the idea. The documents dealing with Netaji are claimed to be highly sensitive. Its revelations will jeopardise India’s relations with other ‘friend’ nations. On the same grounds, death of Mr Lal Bahadur Shashtri had its own share of controversies where in spite the family of Mr Shashtri demanding a probe, were denied. Government did not oblige to form an inquiry commission besides all the irregularities. It refuses to declassify the documents as they may impact the foreign relations, cause a disruption in the country and a breach of parliamentary privileges.

These two incidents present a very grim picture of Indian self-worth. It reflects the Indian society where when the known people are involved in the domestic harassment, the victim is endowed with the moral responsibility for protecting the family honour and the relationships. Is this the way we are paying homage to our leaders who laid their lives dreaming a Majestic India. Are we a victim as a nation, timorous to raise our voice for the fear of being alienated? Is a population of 1.2 billion sustaining on the alms of developed economies? Can’t we flourish by ourselves?

Government requires the determination of honouring its legends and the whole nation will stand by it. We need to earn our self-respect and if we don’t know how then presume the consequences if a US president gets killed on an official visit to other nation.