PMO hands over first batch of Netaji files for declassification

New Delhi: The first batch of 33 secret files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were on Friday handed over by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to the National Archives, setting the stage for their declassification next month.

The files were handed over by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Misra to Director General of National Archives of India for "further processing, preservation and digitisation, in preparation for the final release to the nation of all 58 files in the PMO", an official release said. These files were handed over after being cleared by the PMO, it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on October 14 announced that the first batch of the secret files would be declassified from January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji, meeting the long-pending demand of Bose's family. He had made the announcement after hosting the extended family of Netaji at his official residence here.

Emphasising that history cannot be created by those who forget their own history, Modi had categorically stated that his government did not believe in constraining or strangulating history in any way, and was committed to opening up information on Netaji to the people of India.

He had also assured Netaji's family that he would take up with leaders of other countries the issue of declassification of the documents with them.

"Working towards this commitment, the government has been undertaking the process of due diligence stipulated under declassification procedures and guidelines," the statement said.

The Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs are separately taking action for release of files under their custody.