CM Mamata receives Netaji’s rare 1926 letters, will be displayed in Alipore Museum

On the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 129th birth anniversary, which coincided with Saraswati Puja this Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a strong appeal to the Union Government. Speaking at a commemorative event, she demanded the immediate declassification of all files related to the iconic freedom fighter currently held in the central archives. The Chief Minister lamented that even after eight decades, the mystery surrounding Netaji’s disappearance after 1945 remains unsolved, calling it a "collective misfortune" for the nation.

Highlighting a major historical milestone, the Chief Minister was presented with two rare, original letters written by Netaji from prison on January 23, 1926. These letters, addressed to Basanti Devi and his brother Sarat Chandra Bose, were handed over by Netaji's grand-nephew and historian Sugata Bose. The documents were delivered in a special ceremony and will soon be displayed at the Alipore Museum. Banerjee noted that while her government declassified all state-level files on Netaji years ago, the truth can only fully emerge if the Centre follows suit and releases its remaining documents.

The Chief Minister also emphasized Netaji’s inclusive vision for India, describing his Azad Hind Fauj (INA) as the ultimate symbol of secularism. She remarked that Netaji did not view the country as belonging to any single religion but as a unified home for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and all linguistic groups. Banerjee asserted that the most authentic way to honor Netaji is to uphold his ideals of communal harmony and universal brotherhood, especially in the current political climate.

Concluding her address, the CM reminded the youth of Bengal that Netaji’s spirit remains an undying emotion. By restoring his prison cell at Alipore Jail and making rare letters accessible to the public, the state government aims to keep his revolutionary legacy alive for future generations. She reiterated her identity-based message: "We are all Indians first," calling it the core principle Netaji fought for until his final days.