God forbid this should be true!

An Indian Ambassador was allowed to meet Bose -- on the condition that he would not try to speak to him. When the Ambassador wondered about what to do in case Bose wished to speak to him, "he was told that it has been taken care of," … A rather ominous bit of hospitality. -- Reported in Hindustan Times dated 4 March 2001.

Extracts:

But when a well-known researcher contacted Mikhael Gorbachev, the former premier evaded a direct answer, and is alleged to have said it was up to both governments (Russia and India) to solve the issue once and for all.

A former head of the Foreign Security Service (the old KGB) has indicated to a prominent researcher that files in Russian archives do contain detailed information -- but the onus is on the Indian Government to show more interest.

Have you lately been tormented by the fate that befell Subhas Chandra Bose? Could you picture him as a captive in a Siberian gulag, while he is presumed dead by fellow Indians? India's biggest nightmare involving the biggest names isn't over as yet. The recent inquiry of Mukherjee Commission confirmed that the story of Netaji's death in a plane crash was a camouflage for his escape to the Soviet Russia. And what was the Government's reaction to this finding of a reputed ex-judge of the Supreme Court of India? Steeped in premeditated views, they summarily dismissed it. And not many voices were raised.

Doesn't this outrage you? Is this the way to handle the matter of the life and death of the man Gandhiji called 'Prince among Patriots'? Is passage of time any excuse for condoning gross injustice? After what Subhas did for us, wouldn't we be displaying ungratefulness taking things lying down?

Oh, don't you think this concerns Bose only. Modern India's longest running political controversy has had some terrible spillovers. If a shiver hasn't gone down your spine already, see this old clipping:

Most of us do not have the guts to accept it publicly, but scandalous rumours about Gandhiji, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, President Radhakrishnan vis-à-vis Netaji disappearance controversy and others are commonplace. Need another sample? Here's something from the Big Story above:

Shyam Lal Jain, the confidential secretary of Asaf Ali, who was the secretary to INA Defence Committee told the Khosla Commission under oath that on 26 or 27 December 1945 he was summoned to Ali's residence by Nehru. Jain alleged that Pandit Nehru had asked him make typed copies of a hand- written note that said Bose had reached Russia via Diren. He also alleged that Pandit Nehru asked him to type a letter to British Prime Minister Atlee, that " Bose, your war criminal, has been allowed to enter Russian territory by Stalin. This is a clear treachery and betrayal of faith by Russians, as Russia has been an ally of the British-Americans. Please take note of it and do what you consider proper and fit." Though this information was not challenged before the Commission, Justice Khosla chose not to attach any importance to it. One wonders why.

The sacred memory of revered national icons must not be allowed to be tarnished by conspiracy theorists. So, let's set aside our prejudices and invoke our national credo - Satyamev Jayate. Let's have the unadulterated truth, so that myths may be dispelled. A group of regular guys have mounted a campaign to make the best of a now-or-never opportunity. Because letting it pass could mean going along with the sin of leaving out in cold a man who fought for India.