Family refuses to endorse RSS event on Netaji

Kolkata: The family of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has decided to dissociate itself from the RSS’s programme to mark Bose’s 126th birth anniversary at Shahid Minar on January 23, on the ground that the organization’s philosophy was inconsistent with that of the revolutionary’s inclusive beliefs. They have urged the RSS to first declare that they agree with Netaji’s secular and inclusive ideals if they are serious about paying tribute to the freedom fighter. Netaji’s daughter Anita Pfaff, in a statement from her home in Germany, has slammed the RSS saying that she did not think that they believed in her father’s ideals.RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will be the chief speaker at the Shahid Minar event.“My father was a devout Hindu but had respect for all religions and believed that everyone could live together. I do not think that the RSS believes in it,” said Pfaff in a statement. She went on to add that it will be good for India if RSS embraces Netaji’s ideology. “Netaji believed in secularism and I don’t think the RSS lives up to that. If the RSS wants to propound Hindu nationalist ideas, it would not match Netaji’s ideology and I would not appreciate it if Netaji is used for that,” she said.Neither Pfaff nor any member of the Bose family in Kolkata has been invited to the programme. According to Netaji’s grandnephew Chandra Bose, a former BJP leader, most would decline an invitation even if it reached them. “I have no qualms about attending the event though I have not been invited. But then RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should officially declare that the organization will now embrace Netaji’s inclusive ideals. Merely attending a programme to garland his picture will not benefit anyone,” said Bose.Netaji believed in unity among all religions and communities and had stood for the concept of ‘Bharatiyata’, felt Bose. “The secular fabric of India is now under threat due to divisive politics which Netaji was strongly opposed to. Netaji remains relevant even now due to his vision of a modern India, based on inclusivity, which, unfortunately has not been universally accepted by all political forces,” said Bose.He added that a real tribute to Netaji will be to implement his ideology of a secular, sovereign, democratic India.Meanwhile, Ardhendu Bose, a member of the family based in Mumbai is set to join the programme. But Bose, when contacted by TOI, refused to comment.In a statement, the RSS has claimed that Netaji had deep appreciation for its founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and wanted RSS to join hands with the Azad Hind force. “Netaji may have had appreciation for the RSS’s disciplined way of life but I don’t think it went beyond this,” said Chandra Bose.