DNA testing appeal
Netaji was the only freedom fighter of India who took the freedom struggle beyond the borders of the country. His daughter Anita Faf appealed on the occasion of his death anniversary in August 2022 that her father’s remains be brought to India. Anita also talked about DNA testing with the help of the remains. He believes that with this DNA testing all the questions will be answered. Japan had also formed an inquiry commission to investigate the mysterious death of Netaji. Many historians say that this passionate revolutionary died after a blast in a plane flying in Taiwan. They believe that some Japanese were also killed in this blast.
How did the bones reach the temple
In 1965, a detailed report of the investigation into Netaji’s death came in Japan. In the year 2016, this report was brought in front of everyone. According to the report, his last rites were performed in Taihiku Prefecture. This place is now in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. Netaji’s mortal remains were handed over to SA Iyer, his close aide at that time. The rest of Netaji’s belongings were handed over to Ramamurthy, associated with the Indian Independence Association, in Tokyo, the capital of Japan.
On 8 September 1945, Ramamurthy received this item at Imperial Headquarters. Six days later i.e. on 14 September, Netaji’s ashes were kept in the Renkoji temple. It was told by the Indian Embassy that the remains have been kept in a box of about 9 inches by 6 inches. This box is either made of wood or of tin.
Mukherjee Commission’s reply
Netaji’s remains were kept safely in a jar. Temple priest Keioi Mochizuki vowed that he would take care of the ashes until they were taken to India. Every year a prayer meeting is organized in this temple on the death anniversary of Netaji by the head of the temple. Many diplomatic officers of Japan and India participate in this prayer meeting.
Renkoji Temple is a Buddhist temple frequented by followers of Nichirin Buddhism. The amount is paid every year by the Government of India for the maintenance of these bones. From the year 1967 to 2005, the Government of India has given Rs 52,66,278 to the temple. However, in the year 2005, in the report of the Mukherjee Commission, it was said that
every attempt failed
India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru tried to bring the remains to India in 1950. But at that time Bose’s family refused to accept his death. So that attempt failed. In 1979, the Japanese Military Intelligence Officer contacted the then Indian PM Morarji Desai. This officer was a close associate of Netaji’s Indian National Army (INA). He requested Desai to take the ashes to India. A promise was also made to resolve the issue in a couple of years. But nothing happened as Desai had lost his post. Last time in the year 2000, the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee also made an unsuccessful attempt.