By Pradip Bose

Nearly fifty-six years ago, Netaji's death was announced from Tokyo radio on 24 August, 1945. It said that he had died in an air crash at Taipei, which is now the capital of Taiwan, on 18 August, 1945.

Why should the Japanese lie about Netaji's death, is the main argument? On 18 August, 1945 the Japanese were still in command, even though Japan had formally surrendered on 15th August, 1945.

Nobody can deny the fact that at that point of time Netaji could not have moved anywhere without the active assistance of the Japanese armed forces. Many Japanese, having witnessed the event, have vouched for the fact of Netaji's death after the air crash. Most important among them is the doctor who treated him but failed to save his life.

Moreover, one of the most trusted colleagues of Netaji in the INA, Col. Habibur Rahman has said that he was a witness to the air crash as he was himself in the plane and saw Netaji dying. Even if he had to tell a lie during the extraordinary situation of the Japanese surrender in 1945, why did he continue to say the same thing for 15 or 20 years after the event?

Nobody has so far provided any unassailable evidence that he was alive after the announced air crash or is still alive today. Without any other valid information, why should not the Bose family or at least the majority of its members, accept the Japanese announcement of his death?

It is indeed a matter of national shame that for the last 56 years, controversies have been going on about the so-called mystery of Netaji's death; and in the process the national honour, which he richly deserves, has not been formally given to him by bringing back his ashes from Tokyo.

Moreover, the generation of Japanese who have been keeping the ashes at the Renkoji temple in Tokyo, with great respect and devotion, is fast dying and the younger Japanese generation have neither the requisite interest nor any detailed knowledge of Subhas Bose.

Therefore, they may not continue to give the same honour to his "ashes" and this is a matter of great concern and sorrow for the older generation of Japanese who venerate him.

There are no longer any valid reasons for not bringing back the "ashes".

I am of the opinion that the whole subject should be approached without emotion and sentiment. The issue of death caused by an air crash has to be substantiated by unimpeachable evidence.

My own objection to bringing back the "ashes" at this stage is based on the following facts and assumptions:

1.a. Nobody can raise any objection to the fact, which can be substantiated with evidence, that Netaji wanted to go to the Soviet Union, after the end of the Japanese war, to continue his struggle for India's freedom.

b. When the news of his death in the air crash was reported to the then Viceroy of India, Lord Wavell, he noted in his diary that he suspected the news, because if Netaji intended to go underground this is just the kind of of story that would be given out.