KOLKATA: Welcoming declassification of 100 files relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, his relative Krishna Bose today said there was no mystery regarding his death and eyewitnesses had confirmed the plane crash in August 1945.
"There were eyewitness accounts regarding the plane crash. It is unfortunate that we had lost a great leader. We did not get any proof saying the plane crash did not take place. If we get any such proof, we'll think over, Krishna, widow of Netaji's nephew Sisir Kumar Bose, said.
She further said that there would not have been any speculations if those files were brought out earlier. "We are happy. If the files were declassified earlier, there would not have been speculations. Both Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee have done good work (by declassifying Netaji files)", she said.
"The Japanese government had informed the whole world about the death of Netaji. The Japanese Prime Minister is a friend of our Prime Minister. We urge Narendra Modi to talk to his counterpart in this regard," Krishna said.
She refused to comment on the content of the files declassified today, saying "I have not seen those files. How can I comment without going through those files? Don't drag me into any controversy." Krishna's daughter and historian Sugata Bose said "I do not know whether Modi has done anything on the Netaji issue. I don't feel he had spoken to Abe (Japanese PM Shinzo Abe). He also did not pay his respect by visiting the Renkoji temple... But, other Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited the temple to show their respect," he said of Modi's Japan tour last year."
The Japanese have shared with us the information they had regarding Netaji... But, I believe Modi should have spoken to Abe, whether it be in Tokyo or in Delhi, or Varanasi... I don't think he has spoken to him (Abe) regarding this," he claimed.
"It was first from Japan that we came to know what happened in August 1945," he said. Bose, a Trinamool Congress MP, said "The PM went to Russia but, has not said whether he had any discussion with the Russian President regarding Netaji. He must come out in the public about his discussions with Putin."
He also claimed former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao had contacted the Russians in this connection and demanded that the "outcome of Rao's communication" should also be made public.