Soma Mookherjee
KOLKATA, 23 JAN: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday criticised the BJP-ruled Centre and said, “setting up a statue is not enough. You have to follow the principles of Universal brotherhood which our legendary freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose believed. Raising fingers at the Center, she alleged that government at the Centre has destroyed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s legacy.
While observing Netaji’s 125 birth anniversary on Red Road, Miss Banerjee lashed out at the Centre for dissolving National Planning Commission, dousing Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate and trying to change the history of Indian and Bengal Freedom Movement.
While offering homage to Deshnayak Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Miss Banerjee said, “A national hero and national and global icon, Netaji’s rise from Bengal is unmatched in the annals of Indian history.”
“He is an epitome of patriotism, courage, leadership, unity and brother hood,” she said while addressing the people on Red Road who gathered to observe Netaji’s 125 birth anniversary.
The state government is celebrating his 125th birth anniversary as Desh Nayak Dibas in a befitting manner all over the state following protocols.
Miss Banerjee today declared that the state will observe 125 birth anniversary of Netaji and 75 years of independence in the befitting manner from 23 January to 30 January and from 15 August to 21August respectively. The statues of freedom fighters will be illuminated.
“We earlier planned to hold a rally today but had to cancel it due to pandemic Covid-19″, she said.
“Among some long-term initiatives to commemorate Netaji, a National University with international collaborations, Jai Hind University, is being set up with 100% state funding,” she declared. She said, “We will set up Jai Hind Bahini in schools and colleges and will ensure that chapters of National Freedom Movement and Bengal Freedom Movement will be taught in schools and colleges.”
She said her government will bring out booklets on the women freedom fighters.
“Drawing inspiration from Netaji’s thoughts on National Planning Commission, a Bengal Planning Commission will be set up to help the state in its planning initiatives,” she said.
She slammed the present government at the Centre and said, “This government at Centre after coming to power replaced National Planning Commission with Niti Ayog. I condemn such move,” Miss Banerjee said.
She also lashed out at the Centre for rejecting the state’s tableau on Republic Day parade.
This year a tableau will be displayed on the Republic Day Parade on ‘Netaji’ and will also feature other eminent freedom fighters of Bengal to commemorate the 75 years of Independence Movement of India.
“We again appeal to the Central Government that Netaji’s birthday be declared a National Holiday to allow the entire Nation to pay homage to the National Leader and celebrate #DeshNayakDibas in the most befitting manner,” Miss Banerjee said.
She said Netaji is the face of Indian Freedom Movement. “In those days we did not have UNO, UNESCO, WHO but it was Netaji’s freedom movement which was known to the world,” she said.
She again lashed out at the Centre for dissolving Amar Jawan Jyoti to set up Netaji’s statue.
She said setting up a statue is not enough. “You have to follow his principles of Universal brotherhood.”
You will write the date of birth but about his date of passing away.
“Till date we don’t know how Netaji died. Centre had made tall promises to resolve the mystery. But, they have failed. We in West Bengal have declassified all the files related to Netaji and digitised it. It is displayed in Police Museum of Kolkata Police.
“Why is Bengal ignored so much? I can challenge, no one can erase Bengal’s history. No one erase the nation’s history. Those who dare to do so are playing with fire,” she added. She said in 75th year of Independence the Centre can’t still say how Netaji died?
“You build the statue under our pressure. Come see Netaji’s statue here in Kolkata, it’s alive 365 days. It’s not artificial,” she added.
Tags: #NetajiSubhasChandraBose #MamataBanerjee #RedRoad #Legacy #125BirthAnniversary
