Bharat Raksha Manch demands declassification of secret files on Netaji

Bhubaneswar: Bharat Raksha Manch, a voluntary organization, today demanded the Odisha government to declassify the details of secret files kept by the state government.

President of the Odisha chapter of the Manch, Dr Ashoak Acharya in a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the West Bengal government and the National Archives have divulged the details of their documents.

He requested the Chief Minister to release any secret files that were maintained on Netaji and his INA veterans. If the state government do not possess any files, let it be known to the public, Dr Acharya said.

As the birthplace of this great patriot, Odisha owes him this much, he said.

The Manch, he said earlier in 2016 also made similar requests but the government failed to initiate any measure.

Manch Secretary Anjan Kumar Debata said offering lip service to Netaji on his anniversaries is not enough. The government should release the names of 1500 Odias who served the Indian National Army, many of them laid down their lives.

Their stories remain unheard and their sacrifice has never been acknowledged, he said adding that a proper memorial should be made and inscribed with the names of all the Odias who served under Netaji.

The Netaji Museum at Cuttack, Mr Debta said has a pathetic collection of artefacts and books, proper materials should be collected and a study centre established. 

Mancha Mahila Morcha President Sanghamitra Rajguru said the history of the INA should be included in the school curriculum of the State and the government should conserve and restore the old building of Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Cuttack, the Alma mater of Netaji, which is on the verge of ruins.