RTI & riddle of the ashes Nehru received

[Anuj Dhar]

Hi

This is our latest in RTI. We have been asking PMO & MEA about a strange note from a classified PMO file saying that the ashes of Subhas Bose were received in India by Pandit Nehru. The official line is that those ashes are kept in a temple in Japan. Obviously, one of the version is misleading.

The PMO, MEA gave us answers on the official line. But they sidestepped the main issue raised by us. What is the meaning of the PMO note? The matter is already with CIC.

Kindly see this story:
Netaji's ashes still in Japan temple: MEA

And this release by us (including documents):
http://www.missionnetaji.org/page/rti_mathaiashes.html

[Anuj Dhar]

Originally Posted by karira

Anuj,

Were you present personally for this hearing ?

I am sure your enjoyment in hearing IC Mr Kejariwal's decision in person, was more than my enjoyment while reading it on the CIC website.

It's real funny !

http://cic.gov.in/CIC-Orders/Decision_26072007_09.pdf

Yes. It was a pleasure and honour. Dr Kejariwal is a top historian.

Let's see how media takes this interesting story tomorrow.

Regards

[karira]

PM Nehru office said Netaji's ashes were received

An RTI application seeking response to a letter from India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru stating that ashes of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was received has put the Ministry of External Affairs in a quandary.

The Central Information Commission, in its recent order, found the new evidence enough to open up an altogether new line of inquiry.

Anuj Dhar, a journalist and an ardent researcher into the disappearance of Netaji, had recalled a note written dated December 2, 1954, by MO Mathai, private secretary to Nehru stating that a small amount of Rs 200 was received by the then Minister of External Affairs from Indian embassy in Tokyo along with the ashes and other remains of the late Subhash Chandra Bose. The money is being kept in the External Affairs ministry, the note, written by Mathai to then Joint Secretary, Administration Prem Krishen, said.

The note formed basis of Dhar's RTI application with the External Affairs ministry. He sought to know whether ashes of Bose were disposed off after being received by then External Affairs Minister, presumably by then Prime Miniter Nehru. He also wanted to know whether Bose's family and public were informed about the receipt of the ashes. Dhar also asked about the present whereabouts of his ashes or whether they were sent back to Japan.

The ministry had no specific replies to Dhar's questions. Instead, it said that the ministry has no records with them on the matter and therefore, they cannot proceed further with the RTI application. The ministry reiterated that it was a common knowledge today that the ashes and the remains of Netaji Bose are in the Renkoki Temple in Tokyo, while stating that a detailed response on his ashes was submitted with Justice Mukerjee Commission of Inquiry in November 2005. The inquiry committee submitted its report to Parliament last year.

To this, the Information Commissioner OP Kejriwal observed that "one can hope that some serious researcher will look into one of the greatest mystery of modern India" and will arrive at a definite conclusion.

The new revelation also surprised the Commission, which said, "one look at the note emanating from PM's secretariat would seem to open up an altogether new line of inquiry with the implication that Netaji ashes and other remains were brought back to the country by the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru". And, said, the "mystery deepens".

PM Nehru office said Netaji's ashes were received- Hindustan Times

[Anuj Dhar]

Thanx for posting this.

But, media has given it a miss.

[karira]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=DCHeadText align=left>CIC hopes for research over ashes of Bose</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=DCText></TD></TR><TR><TD class=DCText>New Delhi, July 28: The Central Information Commission has expressed the hope that some "serious" research would be conducted to unravel the "greatest mystery" whether the ashes of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were ever brought to the country.

"The commission can only hope that some serious researcher will look into one of the greatest mysteries of modern India and arrive at a definite conclusion," the CIC said, terming the application as "one of the most interesting cases that has come before it."

Anuj Dhar, a Delhi resident, in a Right to Information application, had tagged a 1954 note of then Prime Minister’s Secretariat stating that Netaji’s ashes and other remains along with a sum of Rs 200 were received from Tokyo. He had sought from external affairs ministry the details as to the whereabouts about the ashes.

"One look at the note emanating from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat Would seem to open up an altogether new line of inquiry with the implication that Netaji’s ashes and other remains were brought back to the country,"information commissioner O.P. Kejariwal said.

National News


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[karira]

Anuj,

Just as a question, what is the Government trying to hide ?

It is 60 years since it happened. Most of the people remotely connected with it are no more. So why not bring out the truth ? Unless it is such a big conspiracy that it will emabarass the "powers that be".

Cannot really understand why continue with the cloak and dagger game in this case.

[Anuj Dhar]

To best of my knowledge the official version of Bose's death is untrue. And if it is so, it will turn out to be mother of all scandals involving names of Prime Ministers, Presidents etc.

The issue isnt all 60 years old. It carried on for decades...with files being maintained on the matter up to 1990s.

There certainly is some cloak and dagger game here and only RAW can throw light.