Tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on His 128th Birth Anniversary Sparks Controversy

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, January 23, 2025, Kolkata: The nation paid heartfelt tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 128th birth anniversary on Thursday, with the central government observing the day as 'Parakram Diwas'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, sharing a message on his official social media handle, X, to honor the legacy of the iconic freedom fighter. He wrote, "Today, on Parakram Diwas, I pay tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. His contribution to India’s freedom movement was unparalleled. He is a symbol of courage and determination. His ideals inspire us to build the India that Netaji dreamed of one day." Along with this message, a video was shared where the Prime Minister was seen paying his respects by offering flowers at the foot of Netaji’s statue.

However, the day also saw a controversy surrounding Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s tribute. Rahul Gandhi shared his heartfelt respects for Netaji, calling him "the great revolutionary, founder of Azad Hind Fauj," and commended his leadership, courage, and struggle for social justice. Gandhi’s post, however, became a point of contention when he included a picture that mentioned Netaji’s death date as August 18, 1945—this date has been surrounded by uncertainty and speculation for years. Netaji’s death in a plane crash in Taihoku remains a subject of debate, with several investigative committees being formed over time, but no definitive conclusions reached.

The mention of the death date in Rahul Gandhi’s post has led to a wave of criticism, as many believe that such a reference perpetuates the ongoing speculation about Netaji’s demise. While Gandhi’s tribute was intended to honor Netaji’s memory, the mention of the date, which remains unconfirmed, drew backlash, with several questioning the accuracy and appropriateness of the post in light of ongoing debates.