Netaji opposed RSS ideology

Family members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, India's iconic freedom fighter, still have some pending demands from the central government. Though the government has declassified all the files relating to his death, the remains of Netaji, which are lying at Renko-ji temple in Japan, still need to be brought home. His only daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff (79), wants to perform the last rites in India.

Netaji's grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose has been vocal about the demands. In his chat with Ashok Chatterjee, he says that in today's society, following Netaji's ideals of religious integrity (sarva dharma samanvaya) would be paying the best respect to the great leader.

Q. On Netaji's 126th birth anniversary, the RSS celebrated at Shaheed Minar in Kolkata with Mohan Bhagwat as chief speaker. How do you see the developments?

A. Netaji was against Hindutva and he opposed RSS ideology. Netaji had written "you cannot expect anything from the Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha for the freedom of our country". It is being said that Netaji had met RSS leader KB Hedgewar and Savarkar. He might have. It was natural of a leader of his stature to meet such leaders. To respect Netaji one has to follow his ideals and RSS with its national presence can make it happen, I believe. But, if you are praising Savarkar and Syama Prasad Mukherjee then you cannot be paying respect to Netaji. Bhagwat has to prove through his actions that he is working towards religious integrity. If he manages to do that then we would appreciate it.

Q. We could see his religious integrity in his Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army)