Gumnami Baba was not Netaji, but his follower, says Justice Sahai Commission - Hindustan Times
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Gumnami Baba was not Netaji, but his follower, says Justice Sahai Commission

By, Lucknow
Dec 20, 2019 11:57 AM IST

The Justice (retired) Vishnu Sahai Commission has concluded that the mysterious Gumnami Baba alias Bhagwanji was not freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as many believed. The commission observed that Gumnami Baba was Netaji’s follower and his voice resembled that of Bose.

The Justice (retired) Vishnu Sahai Commission has concluded that the mysterious Gumnami Baba alias Bhagwanji was not freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as many believed.

The commission observed that Gumnami Baba’s voice resembled that of Bose(FILE PHOTO)
The commission observed that Gumnami Baba’s voice resembled that of Bose(FILE PHOTO)

The commission observed that Gumnami Baba was Netaji’s follower and his voice resembled that of Bose.

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Gumnami Baba, who died on September 16, 1985, was cremated at Guptar Ghat (Ayodhya) on September 18, 1985 and many believed that he was none else but Bose.

“From items recovered from the part of Ram Bhawan (Faizabad, now Ayodhya), where Gumnami Baba alias Bhagwanji lived till his death, it cannot be ascertained that Gumnami Baba alias Bhagwanji was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose,” observed Justice Sahai in the concluding paras of the Commission’s 130-page report tabled in Hindi in the state assembly here on Thursday.

While concluding that Gumnami Baba was not Netaji, the commission, in its report, has given 11-point findings that portray Gumnami Baba as Netaji’s follower.

“He (Gumnami Baba) was a follower of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. But he changed his residence when people started saying he was Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.”

The commission observed he was fond of music, cigar and food and his voice was like Netaji’s voice, giving a feeling of command. The commission noted that he was a Bengali, well versed in Bengali, English and Hindi, had in-depth knowledge of war and contemporary politics and he appeared not interested in the state of governance in India.

The one-member Justice Sahai inquiry commission was set up under provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act 1952 on June 28, 2016 and gave its report on September 19, 2017.

The Allahabad high court had ordered to set up the commission on January 31, 2013 on writ petition number 929 (M/B)/1986 (Ms Lalit Bose and others versus UP state) and writ petition number 10877 (M/B)/2010 (Subhash Chandra Bose Rashtriya Vichar Kendra, Faizabad versus UP state).

In concluding paras of the commission’s report, Justice Sahai has noted that he came across evidence demolishing the claims of those affirming that Gumnami Baba was Netaji when he inspected documents in the district treasury in office of the district magistrate Faizabad (now Ayodhya) on June 22, 2017.

Sahai said there was a letter in Bengali written by Bulbul from Kolkata on October 16, 1980. Sahai said the letter from Bulbul reading, ‘when will you come to my place. We will be very happy if you visit on the birthday of Netaji’ made it clear that Gumnami Baba was not Netaji.

Other interesting findings made by the Commission include the observation that Gumnami Baba had enormous willpower and self-discipline that gave him the strength to live behind curtains.

The commission said he devoted appropriate time for worship and meditation and those who spoke to him behind the curtains were mesmerised after hearing him.

The commission observed he was a talented person and had the uncommon trait of being a person who would prefer death if the mystery about his anonymity was uncovered.

“Under provisions of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, he had the choice and right of leading his life as per his wishes. In this right was enshrined his right of remaining anonymous…. “

In its report, the commission has quoted arguments given to prove that Gumnami Baba could be Netaji and the ones provided to say he was not.

The commission said “but it is shameful that his last rites were performed in such a manner… only 13 persons could take part in his last rites. He deserved to be given farewell with much more respect,” said the commission in its concluding para of the final findings.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Umesh Raghuvanshi is a journalist with over three decade experience. He covers politics, finance, environment and social issues. He has covered all assembly and parliament elections in Uttar Pradesh since 1984.

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