Process to declassify Netaji's files to begin on Jan 23, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the process of declassification of files relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose would begin on his birth anniversary on January 23.

"Process of declassification of files relating to Netaji will begin on 23rd January 2016, Subhas Babu's birth anniversary," tweeted Prime Minister Modi after meeting with 35 family members of Netaji's here on Wednesday.

"Will also request foreign Governments to declassify files on Netaji available with them. Shall begin this with Russia in December," Prime Minister Modi said in another tweete.

Expressing his happiness over the meeting, the Prime Minister said, "It was a privilege to welcome family members of Subhas Babu to 7RCR. We had a remarkable & extensive interaction."

The Prime Minister's decision to declassify the files came after a request made by Netaji's family members during an hour-long interaction with him.

The family members also urged the Prime Minister that the Government of India should also initiate a process to get the files on Netaji available with foreign governments to also be declassified.

The Prime Minister, however, told them: "I see no reason to strangle history. The process of declassification of files relating to Netaji will begin on January 23rd, Netaji's birthday."

He said he would not only write to them, but also take up the matter during his meetings with foreign leaders, beginning with Russia in December.

The Prime Minister said that those nations who forget history also lose the power to create it. He also shared with the family members some instances of how he had recalled Netaji during his term as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

"Consider me a part of your family," Prime Minister Modi said to the family members of Netaji.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, and Minister of State (MoS) Babul Supriyo were also present on the occasion.