Dr Anita Bose Pfaff, daughter of the legendary freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose deplored that the Congress party is not giving the respect and legacy to his father he deserved. She accused him of being exploited over the years.
In an exclusive interview to Zee News, on the occasion of her father’s 125th birth anniversary, she said: “Netaji’s legacy has been exploited. There was a section of the Congress party that wronged Netaji. Gandhi favoured Nehru because he could not have managed my father; he was a rebel.”
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on installation of the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on the India Gate, she welcomed the decision of the government of India. She called it a wonderful gesture. She said that she was “pleasantly surprised” to know about the statue.
Anita Bose Pfaff said that a committee was formed by the West Bengal government to gain mileage on the issue but nothing had happened after that. Bose advised, “There should be no competition between political parties to claim his legacy.”
While addressing the current religious divide and the communal situation in India, Anita Bose further said that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was a devout Hindu and could never hurt or kill another person in the name of religion.
She said, “Neta Ji was a devout Hindu but he couldn’t have killed people in the name of religion like something that we have seen since partition.” She also talked about how political parties have been distorting Netaji’s image for their personal gain.
Anita Bose Pfaff said that her father had met Hitler twice, but only keeping in mind the freedom of India and the fight against the British forces. She said, “Neta Ji did meet Hitler because all he cared about was for Indian freedom but it didn’t mean he endorsed fascism.”
She further added, “Neta ji met Mussolini twice and he wanted Germany, Japan and Italy to sign the resolution for Indian independence.”
