Netaji's ashes: Supreme Court seeks government response on daughter's plea
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday sought responses from the Union Ministries of External Affairs and Home on a petition filed by Anita Cose Pfaff, daughter of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, seeking the repatriation of the freedom fighter's mortal remains from the Renko-Ji Temple in Tokyo.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant issued notice to the Union government, nearly four months after the court had refused to entertain an identical petition by Netaji's grandnephew, Ashish Ray. At the time, the court had suggested that Ms. Pfaff, being Netaji's daughter and legal heir, should approach it directly. Ms. Pfaff, who was present online during the earlier hearing, has now filed the petition, represented by senior advocate A.M. Singhvi.
Ms. Pfaff's petition seeks the repatriation of the remains to India so that she can perform the final rites with dignity and finality. The remains have been preserved at the Renko-Ji Temple in Tokyo for over eight decades, honoured by successive head priests. The family has long described this as a state of "posthumous exile" for Netaji, with no closure for his loved ones.
In his earlier petition, Mr. Ray had highlighted the Union government's "prolonged failure to take a final, reasoned, and time-bound decision to repatriate [or at least facilitate repatriation] to India of the mortal remains preserved at Renko-Ji Temple in Tokyo so that Netaji's daughter may perform final rites in India with dignity and finality." He later expressed respect for the court's view that Ms. Pfaff, as the direct heir, should be the one to pursue the matter.
Netaji, born in Cuttack in 1897, was one of the most prominent leaders of India's freedom movement. He served as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1938 and later founded the Indian National Army to fight against British rule. He is believed to have died in an air crash at Taihoku (now Taipei) on August 18, 1945, while travelling onward from Singapore after Japan's surrender to the Allied Powers. His remains were transported to Tokyo in early September that year. Over the years, a number of theories have surrounded his death, but the official account remains that of the air crash.
The Renko-Ji Temple has since been the custodian of the remains, which are kept in a shrine. For the family, the prolonged stay of the remains in Tokyo has meant a lack of closure. The Supreme Court's notice is a significant step for them, as it directs the Union government to present its position on the matter, including any diplomatic considerations. The Union government, through the Ministries of External Affairs and Home, will now have to respond on legal and diplomatic grounds.
The case underscores the emotional and historical importance of ensuring a dignified final resting place for a national icon. The court's examination will determine if the remains can be brought to India for the final rites that Ms. Pfaff has sought. The government's response will be crucial in shaping the next phase of the case.
