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Cal ling Att en t i on Not ic e da t ed 11.4 .1965by Sh ri #Iukam hand ha chwa i

Discu ssed with J. S. (P ) . A draf t le t te r t o the

Speaker i s su bmit te d for cons iderat ion. (

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SDeci. a l Sec t ion

,F .RJ . , Let ter dated 8.4 .65 f rom the Genera lSecre tary, Haryan a Az ad Hind Fa ujSanstha, Ro h ta k .

Let ter dated 5-4-65 f rom Shr i DineshCha ndra , Meerut .

F I I I . Let ter dated 17-4-65 f r om Shri Chandr ikaPrasad , Dis t t . C.C. , Balia .

& I I .

The writers of the se l e t t e rs havecla imed tha t Netaj i Su bhash Ch an dra Bos e i s aliveand that the Sanyas i Of the Sha u lM a r i Ashram i snone else than Netaj i . I n su p po r t - o f the ircla im they have sent cop ie s of a ph ot o grap h i nwhich a .Sanyasi , ha ving resemblance with Neta j iBo se , has been shown s tanding by the side of th ede a d borly of tr1-1,, la te P.M. The ph ot o grap h4404 44 4-Al i , (M i l : 3 a* was br o ught t o our no t i ce i nJuly las t and i t was fo r war ded t o the Minis t ryof I -Tome Affairs , vide Sl .No.1 6 9-B .

I n view of J .S . (C) 's orde r s con ta inedin Min .No.218 , the F.Rs , may be f i l ed .

F II I

I n th is l e t t e r , Shri Chandrika Pr asadhas sta ted tha t a public meet ings was he ld i nBalla recent ly i n whic h i t was cla imed thatNeta j i Bo se i s alive and tha t he will ap pe ar abnthe 7th May, 1965. He has further sought P.M' sguidan ce t o coun ter su ch prop agan da i n regar dt o Netaj i ,

2 . Shri Chand rika Prasad 's l e t t e r may beacknowledged and f i l ed .

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PRIME MINISTER'S SECRETARIAT

Please obtain the cutting relating to thearticles referred to in Para 2 of the attached letter.

2. I have a recollection that Dr. Satya NarayanSinha had come to Government's adverse notice andwas interned for some time. Please let me see therelevant papers.

10.5.1965.

5.0 . (

Or. Sinhn's 7.:rticles hr,ve beenIron the Press In form9tion 1-lurei and are

ranced below.

2. The reference in aqr2 of Addl, if.S.'s notealr-rve is ,7I)arently to. the nmers fl nc"efl i" fileHo. :-;" 235)/62-654)n, plceo

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;shri Amiya N'ath Bose has again written to P.M.

asking for a ,ommission of Enquiry to be set up to gointo the whole question of the alleged air -crash andNetaji's disappearance in August, 1945. He has beenwriting on this subject from time to time and we havehad enough to do with this matter during the last twoParliament sessions when a number of ouestions aboutNetaji were answered.

2. Shri Bose has now referred to some articleswritten in the Ananda Bazar Patrika and the aindusthanStandard by Dr. Satya Narayan Sinha in which he claimsthat Netaji is alive in Russia. He has also alleged

, that the Enquiry (.;ommittee presided over by ShriShah Nawaz than did not visit Formosa for an on -the-spot enquiry at Taihoku even though the JapaneseUovernment had made arrangements for them to go there.

3. We have some papers about Dr. Satya NarayanSinha, the writer of the article, quoted by Shri Bose.In this connection, the papers flagged in the second4 file placed below may please be seen.

4. All papers regarding Netaji Enquiry JommitteeI are in the Ninistry of External Affairs. The Prime

Yinister's Secretariat has, however, been coming into 4picture in regard to this matter because of certain

' correspondence which certain persons have been having' with P.Y. and certain questions which are sometime*

publicly addressed to P.Y. Before any action is takenon the present letter, it may be rererrea to the

Ministry of External Affairs for remarks.

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F R Telegram dated 21-5-1965 from qhri AmivnNnth Bode, Calcutta.'.

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Shri Amiya Nath Bose's letter dated the '7th May 1965, referred to in the F.R., was filedin compliance with JS(C)'s orders contained in Yin.No.272. The telegram now received may also besimilarly added to the file without any action.

MAO s

would not have ordinarily troubled J.S.Mwith these papers in view of his explicit instruc-tions. I am, however, doing so because of atelegraphic reminder having been received from .Shri Amiya Nath Bose. His present telegram and anyfurther communications which he might address to uson the subject may, however, be ignored.as,even ifwe send him a reply now, it is not likely to satisfyhis keenness to continue his correspondence with thePrime Yinister on the subject.

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PRIME MINISTER' S SECRETARIAT

Reference (1) le t te r da te d July 6, 1965 fromShri Amiya 7:,Ti th Bo se , Calcut ta ;

(2) le t ter dated 5.7 .1965 from Shr i R.K. Baksi ,Calcut t a ;

(3) le t ter dated 5.7 .1965 from Sh r iKrishnashawmy Regime than Calcut ta .

his le t ter (F.R .1 ) Shri Amiya Nath Bose has fo rwardeda copy of his previous le t ter dat ed May 7 , 1965, to whichno reply was sent to him in ac c ord an c e with JS(C)'s ordersat minute 272. In th is connect ion , atten tion i s alsoinvi ted t o the P ress cut t ing .L 3. 4hich were sub mit ted wit hser ia l No .280-A and the art icle from the Tr ibune a tf lag 'L ' . I t appears tha t the demand fo r a fur ther invest i-gat ion into t he death /c l isapp. earance of Netaj i i s againgaining momentum in West Bengal a s a result of thepublica tion of some art ic lesby Dr. Satya Narayan Sin ha .I n these articles he has sta ted tha t Neta j i i s noll in aRu ssia n concen tr a t ion camp. I t i s also l ike ly that t hemat te r would be raised in some form in th e forthc omingParl iament sess ion.

2 . J. S(C) may kindly see and decide whether he wouldli'Ae to br ing these pape rs t o P . M' s not ice fo r any fur therdirect ions. I t i s also for orders whether any reply teedbe sent to th e aforesaid let ters.

J4( C.)

( K.L. GUPTA )13 .7 .1965 .

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Subject:- Starred Question Dy.No.1573 for Rajya Sabhaby Shri P.C. Yitra.

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat have asked for

facts relating to the above question. In this connection,

attention is invited to Minutes 268 onwards in the file

placed below. It will be seen that Dr. Satyanarain

Sinha's articles alleging that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

is a prisoner in Russion hands, were brought to ou

notice but it was decided not to take any action. The

papers were also shown to P.M.

2. The subject matter of the question, however, is

related to the Netaji Bose Enquiry Committee Report,

which was dealt with by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The question may, therefore, be transferred to that

Ministry.

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( K.L. Gupta )31.7.1965

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F R U.O. No.SQ.6608/16.53,465-Q dt.5.8.65 fromthe Lok Sabha Secretariat.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat have called forfacts from us in regard to a Starred Question, tabledby Shri Surendranath Dwivedy, regarding Netaji SubhasChandra Bose.

2. The position in regard to part (a) of thequestion is that we had come across a 'press reportabout the resolution passed by the Calcutta BarAssociation on the 9th July, 1965, demanding constitutionof a commission of inquIry,consisting of eminent juriststo make a fresh inquiry regarding Netaji Subhas ChandraBose. The press report was filed after it had beenseen by P.M.

3. The reference in part (b) of the question isapparently to the late P.M' s letter a t Sl. No . 82- A, whic hWas in reply to Shri Suresh Chandra Bose's letter atS1.No.81-A. In that letter Pandit j i had stated:-

"You ask me to send you proof of the deathof Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. I cannot sendyou any precise and direct proof. But all thecircumstantial evidence that has been producedand which has been referred to in the EnquiryCommittee's report has convinced us of thefact tnat Netaji has died."

In reply to Shri Suresh Chandra Bose's subse-quent letter, Panditji had written t o him as follows:-

"I wrote to you that all the circumstantialevidence made me believe tha t Netaji SubhasCnandra Bose nad died . Much of this evidencewas given in the report made by the committeeappointed for this purpose, which visitedJapan. You will find the date, place andcircumstances men tio ned in that Committee'sreport ,

'Apart from that report, the length of time thathas elapsed is itself confirmatory of the factof his death."

4 . The subject matter of the question is relatedto the Netaji Inquiry Committee Report, which was dealtwith by the Ministry of External Affairs. Tne questionmay, therefore, be transferred to that Ministry. Whileproposing transfer of the Question, we may post theExternal Affairs Ministry with the infoimation containedin para 3 above.

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PRIME PINISTER'S SECRETARIAT

Letter dated August 8, 1965 from ShriAmiya Nth Bose.

The papers referred to in the pressnote sent

by Shri Bose have been flagged in the files placed below.

With reference to.portion side -lined 'A' on page 1 of

the press note, it may be stated that the matter was

referred to the Chief Minister, West Bengal who agreed

that there was nothing further that could be done. A

draft reply to Shri Bose was prepared but it was decided

not to issue it. bince then, we have been ignoring the

letters received on this subject from Shri Bose and

others. This practice was last brought to P.X's notice

on 14.7.1965 and he agreed with it.

2. Shri Bose has now sought an interview with P.M.

to discuss this matter. If P.P. agrees to see Shri Bose,

the latter is likely to insist on some further enquiry

being made. It would perhaps be better to decline his

request.

3. In this connection, it may be mentioned that the

E.A. Ministry have already called for a report from our

Embassy in Moscow reparding the allegations recently made

about Netaji being a prisoner in nussian hands.

(from pre -page)

Please issue letterBose.

below to Shri Amiya Nath

After issue, the papers may be shown toAddl.Private Secretary (Res).

a9144. .13-P-1965.

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YINISTER'S SECRETARIAT

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Dr. Satya Narain ,3inha's articles referred

to by Shri Hemanta Kumar 7,asu had come to Government's

notice. Enquiries were made from our Embassy in Yoscow,

whose reply may please be seen at Sr.No.312-9. A

Parliament Question on this subject was also answered

in the Rajya Sabha on 17.8.1965 by the L.A. Yinistry.

Still another question answered by that !'inistry is

at Sr.No.317-4. Before this, we have also dealt with a

large number of Questions on this issue.

The obstinacy with which this controversy is

being kept alive is really amazing. The only way in

which this can be dealt with is, perhaps, to ignore it.

In fact, we have, for some time., been filing all letters

in this regard.

P.Y. may, however, like to reply to the Chief

Yinister, ',jest Bengal, as in the draft placed below.

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(K.L. Gupta)30.12.1965

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Most Intmadiate.

stry of xternal kffairs(Rast ksia Division)

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T he fo l lo win q , information is urgently required

in connection with qn enquiry .,'eceived by the Foreign

11 1 ni s te r : -

'Thether there has been any reques t i n

the_ past for the suppp,of procedings of Netaji

7nqut ry Commit tee and whet her such request was

refused by the Ministry.

2 . I t i s , therefore, requested that papers,

i f atm , per ta ining to such request may be sent t o

u s urgent ly.

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Pr ime Minis ter 's 3( . ?c r et nr ia t (Section Officer 3hri Marwaha )t tache r.G .0. ,

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Pr.lpe Minister's Secretariat.

On March 29, 1965, Dr. Sisir K. Bose,

General Secretary, Netaji Research Bureau, Netaji

7havan, Calcutta, had addressed a letter to the' a 143

late Prime Minister about the records relating

to the Netaji Inquiry Committee. The letter was

acknowledged and forwarded, in original, for appropriate,

action to theMinistry of Rxternal Affairs with this

Secretariat's endorsement No.2(4)/65-PM dated the

3rd April, 1965. We have no other information on

the subject.

(K.L. Gupta)Under Secretary.

Ministry of rocternal Affairs(Shri 3.P. AearV -, U. 0)Sectt. U.O. No. 619/S1 tS--fm dt,Sti'q.

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-1;4 F.R. Note dated 14.4.66 from the Ministry ofExternal Affairs.

In March, 1965, we had received a letter addressed

to the late Prime Minister by Dr. Sisir K. Bose, General

Secretary., Netaji Research Bur,,au l Netaji Bhavan, Calcutta,

containing some request about the records relating to the

Yetaji Inquiry Committee. As the Ministry of External

Affairs are concerned with the records reg. the Committee,

the letter was forwarded, in original, to that Ministry

vide our endorsement at Sl.No. 255-A. We have no other

paper about the matter referred to in the F.R.

,2. The F.R. may be endorsed as under:-

"On March 29, 1965, Dr. Sisir K. Bose,

General Secretary, Netaji Research Bureau,

Netaji Bhavan, Calcutta, had addressed a

letter to the late Prime Minister about the

records relating to the Netaji Inquiry

Committee. The letter was acknowledged and

forwarded, in originall(to the Ministry of

External Affairs with this Secretariat's

endorsement No. 2(64)/65...PM dated the 3rd

April, 1965. We have no other information

on the subject".

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PRINE MINISTER'S SECRETARIAT

Letter dated 14.5.1966 from Shri Prasanta Sengupta

Transcript

"Foreign Minister answered a question in Rajya.Sabha today. Examine and put up a note please."

Sd/-(S. Banerji)17/5

Pol

In response to the public demand that all thefacts relating to the last stages Of Netaji's lifeshould be enquired into and made known, an Enquiry ,Committee was appointed by the Government of India inthe Ministry of External Affairs in April, 1956. TheCommittee consisted of Shri Shah Nawaz Khan, Shri SureshChandra Bose (elder brother of Netaji) and Shri S.N.Maitra, Chief, Commissioner, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.The report of this Committee which was signed by ShriShah Nawaz Yhana and Shri S.N. Maitra, was releasedin September, 1956. The Government of India acceptedthe report. The third member, namely, Shri SureshChandra Bose did not sign the report but later onsubmitted a separate report dissenting from the findingsof the majority report. After laying a copy of thisreport on the table of the Parliament on 11.9.1956, thelate Prime Minister, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru made astatement in which he said inter alia that Governmentfelt that the evidence adduced in the report waspractically overwhelming and should be accepted. Theconclusion reached by the Enquiry Committee was thatNetaji met his death as a result of an air crash atTaihoku air -field in Formosa on August 18, 1945 andhis ashes are now at Renkoji temple in Tokyo.

2. Certain elements, particularly in 'Nest Bengal a despecially some members of Netaji's family have triedto keep alive the controversy by maintaining that Netajiis still alive.

3. In 1962, as a result of certain articles publishedby Shri Uttam Chand Malhotra, a controversy arose thatthe Sanyasi of Shaulmari Ashram was in fact Netaji.Soon after this, Shri Surendra Mohan Ghosh, M.P. wentto Shaulmari Ashram and stayed there for two days.During his stay, he spent 5 hours with the Sadhu. Itwas his definite view that the Sadhu is not Netaji.Shri R.R. Gas, Secretary of the Ashram publicly declaredin October, 1962 that the founder of the ShaulmariAshram who is generally known as Swami Saradanandaji wasnot Subhash Chandra Bose nor had he ever had any connec-tion whatsoever with the family in which Netaji was born.A Bengali leaflet published by the Shaulmari Ashramreiterated that the Swami was born of a Brahmin familyin East Bengal and was not Netaji.

4. In August, 1962, replying to Shri Suresh ChandraBose, Panditji said that apart from the Committee'sreport, the length of time that has elapsed was itselfconfirmatory of the fact of Netaji's death. In April,1964, Shri Amiya Nath Bose wrote to Panditji suggesting

P.T.U.

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that there should be an official judicial findingregarding the air -crash at Taihoku and that the ChiefJustice of India may be requested to preside over abody of Judges to enquire into this question. In hisreply dated April 22, 1964, Panditji stated as under:-

"I agree with you that something should be doneto finalise the question of Netaji's death.dut it is not quite clear to me how far it willbe proper for me to ask the Chief Justice ofIndia to look into this matter. It may involvevisiting Japan, and I am sure I cannot ask theChief Justice to do so."

5. In August, 1964, Shri Amiya Nath Bose invitedlate PJ., Shri Shastrils attention to the aforesaidcorrespondence with Panditji and reiterated his demandfor a judicial enqury. Shastriji consulted the ChiefTanister, West Bengal who advised that nothing furthercould be done. This was made clear by Shastriji inreply to a Parliament Question in the Lok Sabha onNovember 23, 1964. Again, while replyinL:, to somepressmen at Varanasi on 27.12.1964 he reiterated thatGovernment had on many occasions made statements inParliament about the Sanyasi of Shaulmari Ashram notbeing Netaji. The late P.J. also referred to the factthat the Sanyasi had himself said many a time that hewas not Netaji. The late P.IT. had, however, added thathe would again contact the Chief 1,inister, West Bengalin the matter. Apparently, the intention was to requestthe Chief 1:inister to reiterate the position in viewof the propaganda that was still being carried on incertain quarters. This was done by the Chief Linister,West Bengal in Shastriji's presence at Calcutta onJanuary 12, 1965. While replying to certain PressReporters the Chief Yinister stated that the StateGovernment had made enquiries and found that Netajiwas not at Shaulmari Ashram and that the reports tothis effect were incorrect. This position was also madclear in reply to a Parliament question in the RajyaSabha on Larch 2, 1965.

6. In July, 1965, Dr. Satya Narayan Sinha, an ex -4.P.made a statement that he had definite proof that Netajiwas confined in a Russian concentration camp in Yakutsk(Siberia) and that he was seen in Cell No.46. Althoughthis report was prima facie not quite believable, ourEmbassy in Toscow brought- the story informally to theattention of the Soviet Foreign Office. They hadalready seen this report and stated that there was nobasis whatsoever in the story and that it was amischievous invention.

, 7. As, in spite of repeated denials, certain elementwere interested in continuing to believe in the mythof Netaji being alive, it was decided that furthercorrespondence on this subject should normally be,ignored.

8. In February, 1966, Shri Suresh Chandra Bose, theelder brother of Netaji, made a statement at Madura'&a.)41 -4e that "Netaji is alive today" and that he would:be back in India ii Yarch. Like many previousprophesies this also proved incorrect. On 14.3.1966,the Foreign Yinister again reiterated in answer to a

contd...3

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Pt -

1-61

Parliament Question that Government accepted the findingsof the Shah Nawaz Committee. Another statement isreported to have been made recently by Shrj DwijendranathBose, nephew of Netaji and General Secretary of the All-India Forward Bloc,that Netaji was still alive and wasworking at a place very near the borders of India. Hehad added that Netaji was still working for India andwould come out into the open and enter India at theappropriate time in such a way that he can establisha new order in the country. The Foreign Linister whileansweringa further question on this subject in the RajyaSabha on Kay 17, 1966 stated that the Government hadaccepted the findings of the Shah Nawai Committee andhad not come across any further information that wouldcontradict the findings of the Enquiry Committee. Inreply to supplementaries, the Foreign Kinister addedthat the Press of India being free we could not preventpeople from continuing to make statements about Netajibeing alive. He also stated that there was no intentionto set up another Committee as Government was satisfiedWith the conclusions arrived at by the previousCommittee.

9. As regards Netaji's ashes in Renkoji temple, Tokyo,the Foreign Kinister promised to look into the matterof their being brought back to the country. Evidently,Government cannot move in this matter unless Netaji'sfamily accepts that Netaji is in fact no longer aliveand that these ashes are really his.

10. In view of the facts mentioned above, no usefulpurpose would be served by our replying to letters onthis subject because some persons are bent upon nottreating the issue as closed.

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U.O. No.2 2/ 6V66-Poll(11) dated 5/7 -11 -66from the Min is t ry o f Home Affairs, New Delh i .

1 0 1 1 = 1 . 0 . M .

The 1,iin is t ry o f Home Affairs have reLiues bed us fo r mate -r i a l t o answer th e Short Not ice ,4ues t ion a t FPS' i n whichi t has be en aske d whether . the l a t e P. M. sent two Member so f Parl iament to meet the fo un de r of the Shaulmari Ashram.and to make an enquiry.

2. We have looked up our re levant f i l e . Mere i s no pa pe ron the subject re ferred to i n the , i ue st ion. the HomeMinist ry may b e in fo rme d accordingly. Dra ft reply i sput up .

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no reply to our u.o. note Rt ?PP'RnneRrs to have been received from the DefenceMinistry, fair reminder is put up for signature.

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PRIME MINISTER'S SECR fl'ARIAT

Some time back Shri Sisir K. Bose,Executive Director of the Netaji Research Bureau,Calcutta, had Written to P.M. suggesting thatNetaji's sword which was being brought back toIndia should be received with military honourswhen it arrives in Calcutta on March 19, 1967.

'Naiad referred the matter to the Ministryof Defence and had also sent Shri Bose an acknow-ledgement. ,The Ministry of Defence have now writtenvide their U.O. at Flag 'C' saying that abrass band from Dinapur will be -arranged on theoccasion of the .presentation of Netaji's sword.No other military honours are proposed to beaccorded. Shri Kakkar, Joint Secretary, Ministryof' Defence has also said that they will be informingthe Bureau accordingly. It might perhaps be a goodidea for us also to inform Shri Bose.,

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(K. Na'twar S 7h)13-3-1967

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Secretary may kindly see Shri M.L.Sondhi's (MP)letter to PM asking for her "support to the project ofbringing Netaji's sword to Delhi". Apparently, some suchweapon ha 4 been received in Calcutta from Japan, byNetaji's family purporting to be the sword which he donned.

2. PM gave me this letter and asked what kind ofsupport Wiri Sondhi expected. As far as I can make out,this is a kind of circular printed letter which ShriSondhi must have sent round to many people. Nothingspecific has been asked for, now is this one specifically44rected to PM si 44. It seems to me that what we mightdo is to send a polite acknowledgment, with thanks, toshri Sondhi on PM's behalf. If and when he pursues thismatter, we can consider whether and what more needrto bedone. Meanwhile, we can send a copy of this letter toIR and ask them to quietly find out more about Sondhi'scommittee and the programme.

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The Secretaries of ,the Congress Partybe consulted because they were.not in statioI have made enquiries from the Party officetell me that they have no information aboutCommittee. The Department of Parliamentaryhave also no information on the subject.

could notn. However.,and theythisAffairs

2. I have spoken to Shri Varma, Director, Intelligence

few davs ago but they have at the moment no detailat4Awaabout it. Shri Varma has promised to make enquiries'and let usAhe position as soon as possible.

Bureau and he says that the party was set up only a

(S7?-rEET176-1131.10.67.

1(

0 Snoken to J.S. The promised note has notso'/ far been received from D.I.B. Please issue r.O.n te below to him. Meanwhile, Prof. Sondhi's lettermay be acknowleged as in the letter below.

oat,.olLtical

4.11.67

Single copy

FRT19 MTEIISTR'S wzritTARTr\T(Political ection)

K.

I Ic o

'

I t

Manoharan(DMK)

Madhu Limave(SSP)

Nmiva Eath Bose

M.L. Sondhi(BJ3)

R.K. Deo (3w.?)3amar Guha (PSP)

U.O.No.6/W/67(52) dated the 9th November,1967, Intelligence Bureau, Ministry ofHome Afflairs.

U.O.No. 6/1)G/67(52) dated the 22nd November,1967, Intelligence Bureau, Ministry ofHome Affairs.

It will be recalled that in October/last,Shri M.L. Sondhi, M.P. had addressed a letter to P.M.In his capacity as convenor of All -Party ParliamentaryCommittee for lecettion of Netaji's sword. Theletter [AIRS not an exclusive communication to P.M. buta circular one in which he had sought "support to theproject of 'bringing Netaji's sword to Delhi."Pursuit to the notes recorded by J.S. and Secretaryat p.1/N. information about the above -mentionedCommittee has been obtained from the Intelligence Bureau,which is briefly as follows;

The sword in question was presented to Netajiin Japan in 194.43 by a Japanese political leader.It Was carried personally by a Japanese Army General,

Yuki Fuziama to Indi and handed over to the9irector of the Netaji Museum in Calcutta at a functionin rarch, 1967 at which the then 'lest Bengal Governorwas also preF:ent.

In August last, the marginally mentioned 6 n.p'sdecided to send a people's petition to the UnionPresident demanding appointment of a fresh commissionto enquire into the circumstances about Netaji'sdisappearance and to take suitable steps to honour himand redress the grievances of ex-I personnel. Their

specific... demands may kindly be seen listed in theI.B's report at F/IBI.

'Mile the, proposed National Committee on Netajihas yet to be formed, Shri M.L. Sondhi, convenor, isactive in this regard. The aims and objects arebeing Arafted and a list of members being preparedand Shri Sondhi has,through R circular lettpr,soughtdonations from prominent 11.P's for reception to beaccorded to the Sword. No members of the CongressParty are 'known to have responded to the request.

Shri 3ondhi told pressmen in Pew Delhi onNovember 9, that the sword would arrive in New Delhifrom Calcutta in the first week of December ,1967.This would be the main highlight of a 2 -monthprogramme (Nov. 23, 1967 to January 21, 1963 - Netaji'sbirthday) in the country to focus attention on variousaspects of Yetaji's life. The All -Party ParliamentaryCommittee was finalising the programme and was keenthat the sword formed a part of the ensuing epublicDay parade. The sword, which would be brciflght fromCalcutta in a special coach would be received inDelhi by the F,peaker of the Lok Sabha and theChairman of the Delhi Metropolitan Council. It wasproposed to accord the sword full military honourson its arrival and to place it on public exhil)itfrovioutside the Red Fort. Besides the repeption to thesworcl it was planned to hold seminars and symposia,puolish literature and Netaji's letters, hold anexhibition of his works and to establish a Netajimuseum in collaboration with the Netaji Bhavan ofCalcutta.'

4 4

P.T.O.

c23-2-

`---"In his letter to F X . , Shri Sonihi hadebesidessPeking sunnort for bringIng the Sword to De1h1,tow4 alsoinvited "vour views on the most annronriate way in which'the .canital should receive and do honour" .to the sword. .His Ipt-er was brieflv acno,I1edged vide S.go. 3. Irnview of the fact that he has not since reverted to thelntter nnd no con7rpqs n.p has associ'71ted himself with thenrolect, it IS np,'ha:os, not necessarv.to qvi.nce any .'-ftirter interest on ,P.M's behalf. fks observed by 3.3. in-1.s Ate of October'24, if and wen he.nursues the,.matter,'tit cnn be consIlered whether,and what more needs to bedone.

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14, Meena BeghNew Delhi.

Ceremonial Reception of Sword, Boots and Cap ofNeteji Sulphas Chandra Bose by the Speaker, LokSabha, Shri N. Sanjiva Reddy and the Chairmanetropolitan Council, Shri L.K. Advani at the Delhi

Main Railway Station,

iTocession starts

iresident of India, Dr. Zakir Hussain arrives atRed Fort and is received by Lt.Governor of Delhi,Shri A.N. Jha.

Sword Procession enters Dewan-e-Aam and proceedstowards the Rostrum (Army Band in Attendance),

i-Tesident receives the )1;ord and garlands the Sword.

Remarks by president inaugurating the public viewingof Sword, Boots and Cpp in Delhi.

Speech by the Vice president of India

Speech by Shrimati Indira Gandhi.,

Speeches by leaders of other Political Parties.

Closing remalks by the LtsGovernor of Delhi,Shri A.1, Jh

National AnthamPresident of India departs from Red Fort.

V. V. Giri

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Se,vvz-et.:

ALL - PARTY

lateliamentary Committee for Reception of Netaji's Sword

Convenor : Prof . M. L. SONDHI.Member of Parliament for New Delhi.

Dear Prime Minister,

14, Meena Bagh,New Delhi

13. i .

You are aware the President of India, Dr.Zakir Hussain

has agreed to the ceremonial reception of the Sword, Boots and Cap of

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at 6 p.m. on Sunda

.q,sikA,L=)

'1_

tk4),

ve4-41

(I)

inside the Red Fort.

the 17th December11967

Shri Amiya Nath Bose, M.P. has requested you to participate in

the function at the Red Fort, I trust you will kindly grace the occasion

with your presence and speak for a few minutes in praise of Netaji who

stands for National IntegratiOn.

We have already requested the Vice -President who was associated

with Netaji to make a speech on the occasion.

The Lt.Governor of Delhi Shri A.N.Jha will preside at the

function which has as its purpose the emphasis of national integration in

the capital city of India.

With kind regards,

Shrimati Indira Gandhi,

Prime Minister of India,

NEW DELHI

Yors sincerely,

No1, 'Z:7, QVAi( M.L.Sondhi

Donated by Veerendra Printers, 'New DeIfti-s. Netaji National CommitteeAl) Party Parliamentary Committee for Reception of Netali's Sword.

Convenor: Prof. M. L. Sondhi, M, P.

,A5.4̀

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fiArey /2ax-41,'01 ka4 r f

/8- /2- /?6,7

Rebel from his boyhood, Netaji Subbas became one

of the immortal patrio7as in our country's long history.

He commands such immense admiration aril affection

in our people's hearts that the nation universally calls

him Netaji.

Bankim Chandra gave us our first national song .

Vande Mataram, Aabindranath Tagore save as Jana Gana Mana.

Both became our rall'ilne calls duaine aur frealoa struggle

and mantras of our unity. The third great mantra or our unity

also came from an illua oua s,a Dongal. It was Netaji

who gaveus Jai Hind - words which we hear everyday throughout

the country.

This great patriot, who loved Mothar India with a love

unsurpassed and tho ght of it every minute of his life, had to ,eer

spend long years outside the country. First as a student, then

in search of health and then as an e2ila fighting for the

country's freedom with the swdrd - with this sword. This sword

therefore is a fitting symbol of Netaji's.endeavour.

Our war of independence was foueht with another kink,

of sword. We fought under Gandhiji and with non-violence.

Netaji was a great general of this war. But right through

ha made it clear that he did not accept non-violence. He was

always a man of complete candour and outspokenness. And When

the war broke out, he left the country so that he could fight

wita the sword for India's freedom.a,

Let us not forgot that Gandhiji himself, unshakable

as his faith in non-violence was, declared that if it was a

choize between cowardice and violence, he himself would choose

the sword.

f ,

<7

Netaji built up the Indian National Army. The

INA's eeds electrified India when news of i came to us

pierceing the curtain of censorship which Britain had put around

the country. The impact of INA combined with Quit India

movement to take us to the threshold of freedom.

Therefore in the history of our freedom struggle,

NeLaji is not a rebel who fought in vain bul. a rebel who was

V:i.ctoriousi

And this sword ranks with the swords of Chandragupta,

:111ivaji, Guru Bobind Singh and Rani Laxmibai in being a symbol

of our sturdy independence and inflexible will. It is a symbol

,or our pride and our freedom.

Netaji gave the cry "Chalo Delhi". He vowed to

set foot only in an India which was free. Today his sword

i returns to a free India, fulfilling Neteji's dreams. It is

a memorable day for all patriots, and s sipnificant event in our

11, own lives.j

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93

Rebel from his boyhood, Netaji Subhas became one

of the immortal patriots in our country's long history.

He commands such immense admiration and affection

in our people's hearts that the nation universally calls

him Netaji.

Bankim Chandra gave us our first national song -

Vande Mataram. Rabindranath Tagore gave us Jana Gana Mana.

Both became our rallying calls during our freedom struggle

and mantras of our unity. The third great mqptra of our unity

also came from an illustrious son of Bengal. It was Netaji

who gaveue Jai Hind - words which we hear everyday throughout

the country.

This great patriot, who loved Mother India with a love

unsurpassed and tho ght of it every minute of his life, had to

spend long years outside the country. First as a student, then

in search of health and then as an exile fighting for the

country's freedom with the sword - with this sword. This sword

therefore is a fitting symbol of Netaji's.endeavour.

Our war of independence was fought with another kind

of sword. We fought under Gandhiji and with non-violence.

Netaji was a great general of this war. But right through

he made it clear that he did not accept non-violence. He was

always a man of complete candour and outspokenness. And when

the war broke out, he left the country so that he could fight

with the sword for India's freedom.

Let us not forget that Gandhiji himself, unshakable

as his faith in non-violence was, declared that if it was a

choice between cowardice and violence, he himself would choose

the sword.

-2-

Netaji built up the Indian National Army. The

INA's deeds electrified India when news of it came to us

pierceing the curtain of censorship which Britain had put around

the country. The impact of INA combined with Quit India

movement to take us to the threshold of freedom.

Therefore in the history of our freedom struggle,

Netaji is not a rebel who fought in vain but a rebel who was

victorious.

And this sword ranks with the swords of Chandragupta, '

Shivaji, Guru Bobind Singh and Rani Laxmibai in being a symbol

of our sturdy independence and inflexible will. It is a symbol

of our pride and our freedom.

Netaji gave the cry "Chalo Delhi". He vowed to

set foot only in an India which was free. Today his sword

returns to a free India, fulfilling Netaji's dreams. It is

a memorable day for all patriots, and a sicnificant event in our

own lives. '

\

S E1R Er

IN TELLIGaTOE BuR EAU(Min i s t ry o f Home Affa i rs )

m m o m o . . .

5 u b j e c t :- All - Paytz P a r l i v t a n . Co mm it t ga _ fo rreceo t ion o f N et ai i s swor d . .

P.M I s S ec t t . may plea se refer t o th is off iceU. L. No. 6/ D 3 / 67 ( 52) dated Nove mb e r 9 ; 196 7 , on theab o ve sub jec t .

Fur the r enqu i r i e s revea l that th e Swor d wa sp r en t ed t o I e t a j i whi le h e wa s i n Ja pa n so me t imesi n 194 2-43 by a po l i t i c a l le ade r o f Jap an. Th e Swor dwa s car r ied pe r sona l ly by a Ja p a n e se Army Ge n e ra lMr . I . YUKI FUZI AMA to. Ind ia a n d wa s handed over t oN e t a ji Museum i n Calcut t a. Shr i S i s i r Bose , Directoro f the Museum Com mit t ee received the same a t afunc t ion he l d i n Calcut ta on Ma rc h 19, 19 67 whichwa s at tended am on g othe rs by Shrima th i Pa dma j a Paidu,

e then Go ve r no r of 'des t Be n ga l .

(K. N. Prasad? 1 lcDep uty Dire c to r

PL.M I s t t ,LS i _ S ,P , _ K t an n a )D. I .13. U. No. 6 / D G / 6 7 ( 5 2 ) da t ed the

VDP22 /1 1(2)

\c)YA7

t", I

INTELLIGENCE BUt-EAU(Ministry of Home Affairs)

'

Secret

Sub:- All -Party Parliamentary Committee for reception ofNetaji's sword.

P.M.'s Secretariat may please refer to their u.o. No.PMS-21386 dated November 4, 1967.

2. It is learnt that sometime in Aug. 1967, the following sixMembers of Parliament decided to send a people's petition to theUnion President demanding the appointment of a fresh commissionto enquire into the circumstances about Netaji's disappearanceand to t ake suitable steps to honour him and redress the grie-vances of ex-INA personnel:- (1) K. Manoharan, H.P. (DMK)(2) Madhu Limaye, M.P. (SSP) (3) Amiya Nath Bose, M.P. (Ind.)(4) M.L. Sondhi, M.P. (EJS) (5) P.M. Deo, M.P. (Sw.P.)and(6) Samar Guha, H.P. (PSP). In this connection, a copy of ourU.O. to MBA dated 10.8.67 is enclosed.

3. Enquiries reveal that the Mational Committee on Netaji isstill in the process of being formed. M.L. Sondhi, M.P. (JS),convenor, is active in this regard. The aims and objects arebeing drafted and a list of members prepared after obtainingtheir consent, ihe formation of the national committee isexpected to be announced by the second week of November, M.L.Sohdhi in his capacity as convenor has addressed a circular toprominent MsP requesting for donations to meet expenses connec-ted with the reception to be accorded to Netaji's sword. Sofar, it is not known if members of the Congress Party have alsoresponded to Sondhi's request.

4. Speaking to pressmen on Nov. 5 at New Delhi, E.L. Sandhistated that Netaji's sword would arrive in the capital duringthe first week of December from Calcutta lie said this wouldbe the main highlight of the 2 -month programme to be organizedin the country to focus attention on various aspects Of thelife of Netaji. Celebrations would commence on Nov. 23 and endon Jan. 23, 1966 (birthday of Subhas Chandra Bose). It wasdisclosed that the all -party parliamentary committee, whichwas finalizing the programme was also keen that the sword formsa part of this year's liepublic Day parade. M.L. Sondhi saidthat the sword would be brought from Calcutta in a special coachand would be received in Delhi by the Speaker of the Lok Sabhaand the Chairman of the Delhi Metropolitan Council. He saidefforts were also being made to see that the sword was givenfull military honours on arrival. He said the sword would beplaced on public exhibition outside the Red Fort. Besides thereception to the sword, it was planned to hold seminars andsymposia, publish literature and Netaji's letters to hisrelatives and friends, and to hold an exhibition of his worksduring the 2 -month period. It was also planned to set up aNetaji museum in collaboration with the Netaji Bhawan of *Calcutta. He disclosed that the Committee would hold a preli-minary meeting on Nov. 13 in Delhi to finalize the details

:

"( 2 )

-2-

,

of the programme, and efforts would be made to seek theco-operation of as many people as possible.

5. Information about when and from whom Netaji's swordwas received in Calcutta is being collected.

PM's Sectt. (Shri S.?. Khanna)

DIB U.O. o,

Enclo:- one.

(K.N. Prasad)CliDeputy Director

dated, the ,

COPY

a

I1\1T7J.LIGENCE BUREAU(Minis t ry o f Home Affai r

3ecre_t \`)

NATIONAL COMITTEE ON NETATI

I t i s learn t that the fo l lowing Ms? have decided t ose n d a people 's pet it ion t o th e Pres iden t of th e In dianthion, de m a nd ing th e app ointme nt o f a fresh co mm ission t oenquire in to the ci rcums tances about Netaj i 's disap ,.oar anceand to take su itab le steps to hon our him and red ress thegrievances o f ex- INA pe r sonne l : -

1 ) K. Mano h aran , M.P. (DMK).2) Madhu Limaye, M.P . (SSP) .3 ) Amiya Na th Bos e, M.P . (Ind .)4 ) M.L. Sondhi, M.P . (3 , 13 ) .5) P.K. Deo, M.P. (Swata .n t ra)6 ) Samar Guha, (PS?) .

I n the peti t ion t o th e President , i t i s sta ted that theyalong wi th millions o f Ind ians regard Nr-r ta ji a s not onlyone of th e grea tes t pat r iots bu t also as one o f the t o p -ranking leaders th r o w n u p by India 's struggle fo r fre edo m,who se contribu tion t o i t s h is toric te rmina t ion i s no less .,impor tan t t han tha t o f any other leader . The pet it ionpra ises th e ro le o f the INA i n the fre ed om st ruggle ands ta tes that i t was the rea liza tion on the par t o f theBrita in ax21 o f the gr im fac t tha t Indian s epoys co u ld nolonger be re lied upon t o fight Bri tain 's bat t le i n Indiaand, her resources i n men and money we r e to o exh au sted by thewar t o carry o n success fu l efforts t o keep down re su rgen tIndia by force. T he fo rmat ion of INA ac c ord in g t o thepet i t ion de mo n s tra te d Netaji ls superb st a t esmanship andta lent fo r mili tary organiza t inri . I t i s regret ted that the -Gover nment had signally fai led to accord due honour andrecognit ion t o the un iq ue persona l i ty and leadership ofNetaj i o r t o his his toric role i n our free dom struggle .

I t urges the Government t o t ake th e fo llowing stepswithout delay:

1 ) To place his portrai t i n the Cen tra l Hall o fPa r l i ame n t and al l offices of the Government ;

2 ) To erec t a statue o f Neta j i on a prominent s i tei n New Delh i preferably a t India Gate ;

3 ) To devi se sui table means to accord nat iona l imxta lp ra t ion recognit ion to mil i ta ry ge nius o f Netaj i ;

To obse rve his bi r thday eve ry year wi t h du eso lemni ty ;

To erec t suitable memoria ls a t Kohima and Imoha.1i n honour o f INA hero es who sacr ificed thei r liyesI n the l iberat ion st ruggle und er the leadership of_Retaj i ,

6 ) To publ ish the vo lume on TpTA al ready wri t t en for

4 )

5)

l '7)

-2-

the 'FIistory of Indian Army during the Sectidd War",publibhed by the Government;

To give him due place in the "History of the FreedomMovement" (planned by the Government of Inge.);(For this it is necessary to take expert advice on theportion of the manuscript relating to him before itis finally a)proved for the press).

18) To arrange publication of Netajils writh-igs and speeches,

It also stated that the alleged death of NetajiGaxarsA in a plane crash in 1945 is not believed by large sectionof the Indian public in spite of the report of the Shah NawazCommittee. It quotes late Pt. Nehruls letter to Shri Suresh3Dse, elder brother of Netaji, that there was no "precise anddirect proof" of Petajils death. It has also referred to othernewspaper reports and states that the value of the Shah NawazCommittee was considerably diminished by the fact that no investsgation was made into these reports and that no member of theCommittee visited the actual snot of the accident and male anylocal inquiry. The petition, therefore, urges the Governmentto make a further inquiry with the collaboration of theGovern -rents of Japan and Taiwan by a small independent committeeconsisting of a Judge of the Supreme Court and 2 or 9 publicmen in whose integrity and capacity to conduct such an inquiry,the public has full confidence. It is felt that nothing butsuch an inquiry will satisfy public opinion by removing themystery that hangs around Netaji.

Details of the National committee, if formed, are so farnot known to us.

Sri: K.N. Prasad*Dy. Director

1,HIA ( 3hri N. Vittal)

DIB U.O. No. 6/W67(52) dated 10-3-67.

Copy No.Two copies.

PRIME MINISTER'S SECRETARIAT -̀)

Enclosed is a copy of a letter fromProf. P.L. Sondhi, Convenor, All -Party ParliamentaryCommittee for Reception of Netaji's Sword. D.I.B.will recall that I spoke to him about this matteron the 31st October, 1967 and he was good enough tosay that he would make enquiries about the Committeeand let us have a note. No reply has so fare beensent by the Prime Minister to Prof. Sondhi's letter.We should, therefore, be grateful if the D.T.B.would kindly let us have the promised note givinginformation about the composition and aims and objectsof the Committee. We should in particular be gratefulto be informed whether the Congress Party is representedon this Committee and are taking part in its work.Information about Netaji's sword -- as to when andfrom rhom from Japan it was received and what isproposed to be done to it in Delhi -- would also beuseful.

(LP. Khanna)Private Secretaryto the Prime Minister

4.11.1967

D.I.B. (Shri S.P. Varma)P.Mts Sectt. U.O. No. Ft-AL:4.i if-

rcP

t

, , "

We, Y8-7

Dear Sir,

\c

4th November, 1967.

This is to acknowledge with thanksyour undated letter to the Prime Minister

Committee for Reception of Netajits Sword.

Yours faithfully,

D O -1(

(S.P. Khanna)Private Secretaryto the Prime Minister

Prof. ".L. Sondh1, M.P.14, Meena Bagh,New Delhi.

ALL -PARTY /C.k

Firliamentary Committee for Reception of Netaji's Sword

Convenor: Prof. M. L. SONDHI.Member of Parliament for New Delhi.

(

X11, CTTLIAJL,My dear aivinAftati

14, Meena Bagh,New Delhi

You are aware that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's

influence has worked to unite this country against

fissiperous tendencies. His unequalled record of service

of the motherland takes on a fresh significance today when

he serves as a beacon light to our efforts to achieve

political modernisation by reconcilling our tradition and

the modern scientific outlook.

The advent of his sword to India from Japan has fired

the imagination of all men and women of good will who find

in Netaji a full manifestation of India's achivement motive.

The sword was formally received in Calcutta few months back.

We are now taking steps to bring the sword to Delhi. We

would like the people of the capital city, men, women and

children, to have an opportunity to witness Netaji's sword

in the oppropriate setting of the Red Fort.

We expect the sword

of November and we trust

equal to the occasion to

for Netaji.

to reach Delhi towards the end

the people of Delhi will rise

show their abiding love and respect

I shall be most grateful if you will kindly indicate

your support to the project of bringing Netaji's sword to

Delhi. I shall be glad to have your views on the most

appropriate way in which the Capital city should receive

and do honour to Netaji's sword.

611A,A4k;,frtAAAA reteA,

40AA) .

ours sincerely,

(M.L. Sondhi)

e."

No «C/125/ R / 67 /..rp

. Dear -(;hanceryl

Ministry of External Affairs(East Asia Division)

New Delh-L. 1,or . 1967

Please find enclosed for information a copy

of Starred/Un red Question No, 59Z together with

its answer given in the Lok/A6a Sabha on

Embassy of India,Peit±nr: Ta

Yours ever,

Ministry

-2-

Copy With a'copy of the enclosure mentioned en

ab e and note for supplementaries forwarded to the

Prime Minister's Secretariat for information.

(Miss) ( K.T. Balani )Section Officer(East Asia)

STARRED QUESTION N .582

LOX .SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.582

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH -DECEM7.3-ER 1967

NETAJI S DEATH

QUESTION

*No 532 SHRI SAMAR GUHA : Will the Minis t er of

Externa l Affairs be plea sed t o sta te:(a) whether . i t i s a fac t tha t i n rep ly t o a le t te rfr o m Shr i Su resh Chan dra Bose (13 .5 .62 ) the late Pr ime

Minis ter , Jawaharla l Ne hr u wro te in ter al ia tha t I cannot

send you a direct and prec ise pro of . . . of th e death o f

Netaji Sub hash Chandr a Bose 4 . . . bu t circumstant ia levi dence has co nvin ce d u s the fact t h t Neta j i has died ';(b) whether i t i s also a fact the t few we e ks

before his demise th e la te Pri me Minister , Jawahar la lNe h ru i n reply t o a l e t t e r from Shri Amiya Math Bose ,

a member of th e pre sen t Lek Sabha, assured him that acme

fur ther steps should b e t aken t o reach a f ina l i ty. regarding the cont rove rsy ab o u t Neta j i 's death; and

(C) i f so , whet her , Government pro po se t o send an

invest igat ion co mmit te e t o Formosa t o reach a f inal i tyab ou t Netaji 's de a th ?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRYOF EXTEPNAL AFFAIRS(SHRI H. . Bi-I41,\T )

(a) I n his l e t t e r of 13th May, 19 62 t o Sh ri Su resh

Bo se , Pr ime Minis te r Ne hr u wr o t e a s

"You ask me t o send you pro of of thede a th of Neta j i Sub has Chandr a Bose.I cannot se n d you any precise anddirec t proof . Bu t a l l the circumstant ialevidence that ha ,5 been prod uc ed andwhich has be en re ferred - t o i n theEn q u i ry Commit t ee ' s repor t has co n vin c e du s of th e fac t tha t Netaj i has died .I n addit ion t o th is , th e lapse o f t imenow an d th e ext re me improbab i li ty ofhis being alive secret ly semewhere whenhe would be welcomed i n Ind ia withgreat joy and affect ion, adds t o th a teircumstencial evidence ."

.. . .2/..

In reply to a subsequent letter from Shri Suresh

Bose, Prime Minister Nehru wrote to him on 12th

August, 1962

"I wrote to you that all the tial evidence made me believe thatNetaji. Subhash Chandra Bose had died.Much of this evidence was given in thereport made by the Committee appointedfor this purpom, which visited Japan,You will find the late, place andcircumstances mentioned in thatCommittee's Ieport.

Apart from th.)t report, the lengthof time that has elapsed is itselfconfirmitory of the fact of his death."

(b) He gave no assurance. In reply to a letter

from Shri Amiya Nath Bose, Prime Minister Nehru wrote

on April

"I agree with you that something shouldbe done to finalise the question ofNetaji's death. But it is not quiteclear to me how far it will be properfor me to ask the Chief Justice ofEndia to look into this matter. It mayinvolve visiting Jnpnn and I am sureI cannot ask the Chief Justice to de sc."

(e) The Government of India have stated in

reply to various questions in this house in subsequent

years that there was no need for 9_ further enquiry

becuase the report of the Shah Nawaz Committee was

conclusive..

NCTE FOR SUPPLEMENTAIES

)4. Lok Sabha Starred * uestion No .582 for 11-12-1967)

In respunee to tho public demand that all the facts

relating to the last stages c,f Netajils li.ç hould be enquired

into and

the Government of India in Aril, 1956. The Committee

consisted of Shri Shah Nawaz Khan, Shri Suresh Chandra Bose,

(elder brother of Netaji) and Shri S.N.Maitra, Chief

Commissioner of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The report of this

Committec which cve 3igne6 by Shri Shah Nawaz Khan and Shri

S.N. Maitre, was released for publication in September, 1956.

The Gavernmnt of India acceptEd

namely, Shri Suresh Chandra Bose

Later on he submittcd E saperate

f din7s of the rlY.jority report.

reort (nil the Taole of the House

Shri Jawaharlal Nehru,

the report. The third member,

did not sign the report.

re)ort dissenting from the

After laying a copy of this

on 11.9.1956, the late Prime

made a statement in the Lok

abhr . n which he said inter rldE that Government felt that

the evidence adduce,1 in the report was practically over-

whelming and should :)ci accepted. The conflusion reached by

the Enquir Comnittee was that Netaji met his death as a result

of an qir crash at Taihoku airfield in Formosa on August

18, 1945 :110, that his aahos E.,fE no: at the Renkoji Temple in

Tokyoi

2 . Since the Shah Nawaz Committee Report was published,

demands live been made both in Parliament and elsewhere on

-erEA1 -,cc&sions that another Enquiry Committee be appointed.

The saggestion for this was due t') the fact that one of the

members, Shri Sure oh Chandra Bose, the brother of Netaji

Subhash Chandra BC6D, did not agree with the findi..igs and

suL,mitted C dissentient reoort. The Government of India,

however, have consistently taken the position that neither

the dissentient report nur the evidence which Shri Bose had

referred justified the view that the findings of the Commission

requilad revision, and have, therefore, refused to order

another enquiry. The last time such a request was made was

. . . 2 / -

-:2: -

in 1966 wie -1 press reports from Formosa suggesting that the

Nationalist Chinese Government have set up a Committee

provolLud a :arliamentary Question on August 0C I 1I J 6 6 , ±700111

Shri Chitte BasU. At that time, the Foreign Minister

repee -L;ed that "it has been stated several times in Parliament

that tLe Ge,vern'.7,.ent of India have accepted the findings of

the :etaji Enquiry Committee headed by Shri Shah Nawaz Khan."

3. In 1962, a controversy was started stating that the

Sanysi of Shaulmeri Ashram was Netaji. This has been

indigi ntly denied by th. Sanyesi himself and reiterated in a

Bengali leaflet issued by the Ashram..

4 . 1. Setya FErein Sinha came. up with a statement

that N_I7tji as at present incarcerated is Cell No.46 of

yakutusk prison :n Sieree. The statement im difficult to

verify and the Government have a'esclutely no information to .

corrbor9te thit view.

5 . More iscently Lt. General (Retired) Fujiwarla who

claims t( have discovered e presentation sword owned by

Netai in a Tokyo curio shop and who Came to India to present

this relic suggestef". an Indo-japnese Committee to go into

the question of Netajils death to arrive at a conclusion

"onele and for all". Unfortunately the General has not

specified the nature of his doubts and it i; alMo relevant

to note he fact of his long silence and that he did not come

forth as a witness in front cf the Shah Nawaz Khan Committee.

6. Although the Committee did not go to Formosa for

political 2.easons, they mot a. large number of very relevant

witnesses including Col. Hebibur Rahman (Netaji's co -traveller'

or the fatal trip) and several Japanese army and civil doctors,

officials and nursL.s who returned to Tokyo after :the war.

As Shri rawaharlal Nehru, Shri Lai Bahadur Shastri and the

precept 'rime Minister have Jften reiterated, the Government

of India have accepted the findings of the Shah Newaz

Committee in toto and consider the evidence adduced by them to

be overshelmingly conclusive of Netaji's death. In the fact

of the lack of any fresh evidence, there is no reason for the

Govern :lent to agree t undertake the task of appointing a new

Committee to go int) what they already accepted as being the

truth.

. 4 1 0 3 / " . .

Additional notes suggested by J.S. to P.M*

A set of the letters exchanged between Prime

Ministur i4uhru and Shri Suresh Bose or Shl'i Amiya Bose aye -

enclosed, including those referred to in the question and ix

the draft replies:'

It is true that in his letter of April Pf, 1964

?rime Minister Neh/u 'agreed' with Shi Amiya Bose that

something s'..lould be done to "finalise tie question of Netaji's

death". 3ut he gave no assurance and thereia nothing to

suggest, in the c)ntext of the entire correspondence, that

Lt any tire ?rime Minister Nehru had entertadned doubts about

the conclusive character of the e-,Tidence cited by tite,Shak

Nawaz Khan Committee or others to establi,h Netaji'i death,.

Prssumably, what Shri Nehru had in id was that something

should be d -)ne to persuade those who still doubtea this fact

to accent the finality of the corslusion tbat etaji was no-

more.

ubsequently in the years 1965, 66 a*d..6T, Government

there was no need for E further encluiry into Netaji's deatk

as the eport of the Shah Nawaz Khan Committee was conclusive.

ThL most important ciieumstanciaI evidence. ork .whih

Shri Neh -u had relied, (according to his lettei .ot . May 13,.

1962), is, to put it in his own words- "The lapse of time

\now and the extreme improbability of his being alive secretly

somewhere when he would be welcomed in India with gretat'joy

and affection,"

Suresh C.Bosu.

Dated 12th May, 1962,

Shri Jawaharlal Nehru,Prime Minister of India,New Delhi.

Dear Shri

The report in the papers of the8th instant is to the effect that you stated inParliament On the previous day, in reply to a questionby Shri P.C. Barooah that the majority reort of theNetaji Enquiry Conmittee'established that my brother

if you hold this piece of news to be correct,it affects the members of out family more than thegeneral public, who, however, are also deeplyinterested in its correctness or otherwise.

I would, therefore, request yrou as his elderbrother and as the seniormost surviving memberof the family to forward to me the proof of his death,together with the date, month, year, place and thecircumstances under which such alleged death tookplace.

In the expectation of a reply and with kindregards,

I remain,

Yours sincerely,

12,5.62.