‘Contribution of others ignored’: PM takes dig at Gandhis at Azad Hind Fauj event

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort to mark the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of ‘Azad Hind government’ headed by Subhash Chandra Bose.

Donning the famous Azad Hind Fauj cap, the Prime Minister also unveiled a plaque to mark the anniversary.

Traditionally, the prime minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort on Independence Day.

PM Modi used the event to attack the Nehru-Gandhi family and said that to keep "one family" above the rest, efforts were made to forget the contributions leaders such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Subhash Chandra Bose made in the Independence struggle.

"But now our government is changing all that," the prime minister said.

"In an effort to highlight the role of one family, efforts were made to deliberately ignore and forget contributions made by others in the independence struggle, and later in creating a new India," he said. These leaders included Sardar Patel, Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Subhash Chandra Bose, the Prime Minister added.

Addressing the event, PM Modi said, “Netaji had promised an India where everyone has equal rights and equal opportunities. He had promised a prosperous nation which was proud of its traditions, development in all areas. He had promised to uproot 'divide & rule'”.

However, “even after so many years, those dreams remain unfulfilled”, he added.

Prime Minister also said, “We have attained 'Swaraj' after lakhs of sacrifices. It is our responsibility to maintain this 'Swaraj' with 'Suraaj'”.

He said while Bose focused on the East and Northeast India, the two regions did not get due recognition. Now, he said, his government is working to make the Northeast the "engine of growth".

Hailing Bose's spirit of nationalism, PM Modi said as a 16-year old, he was aggrieved at the plight of India under the British rule. "His ideology was nationalism, he lived by nationalism," he said.

Hailing the BJP-led Centre, PM Modi said that the government made big and tough decisions to strengthen defence sector.

“In last 4 years, several measures were taken to strengthen the defence. Best technologies were brought to the defence. This government has strength to make big and tough decisions, it'll continue. Be it surgical strike or making the files of Netaji public, decision was taken by our government,” he said.        

The plaque unveiled by the PM Modi will be placed at barrack number three at the Red Fort where members of the Azad Hind Fauj faced trial. A museum will be also set up in the barrack.

According to reports, the decision to hoist the national flag at the Red Fort was taken in August this year by a group of Netaji followers and family members, including his grand-nephew and BJP Bengal vice-president Chandra Kumar Bose. They had then requested the PM to join them in the celebrations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced his decision to attend the ceremony during an interaction with BJP workers via video-conference.

Accusing the Congress of neglecting the contributions of many great personalities towards India’s freedom, PM Modi said that the BJP respects everybody who served the country, irrespective of party affiliation.

(With PTI inputs)