Declare 23rd January : As "Patriotism Day" (Desh Prem Divas)

The life and struggle of the great revolutionary patriotic leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose have been inspiring his countrymen for decades together. He is hailed by all his countrymen as a great leader very near and dear to their hearts. His supreme sacrifice and love for his country are rare instances of noble quality that are found in the history of our freedom struggle. Gandhiji himself once paid highest tribute to Subhas by mentioning him as the "patriot of patriots." Netaji's name in modern India stands as a symbol of patriotism. Subhas Chandra sacrificed many of his worldly comforts and prospects like the ICS-posting, presidentship of the Indian National Congress or allurement of post-independence high-ranking national position. On the other hand, he preferred a life full of suffering, eleven-time imprisonment in the British jails, highly risky unprecedented 'great escape' to continue his anti-imperialist struggle for the cause of the country. But unfortunately, we have failed to honour him properly at the official level in the post-independence era.

People of India are therefore demanding since long and urging upon the government of India to officially declare Netaji Subhas Chandra's birthday, the 23rd January, as the "Deshprem Divas" - the day of patriotism, as the birthday of many of other distinguished national personalities like Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Jawaharlal Nehu, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Indira Gandhi, Prasanta Mahalnavis, and others have been suitably honoured.

As may be appreciated by all, in the recent days, when the spirit of patriotism seems to be lacking among our countrymen due to frustration arising primarily out of the poor economic condition of the common man, it is absolutely necessary to give a call to the people on the historic birthday of Netaji to revive such a spirit once again. The example of Netaji's patriotism and secular values should help us to work unitedly for the eradication of poverty and to take our country forward in the way our patriots dreamt of, for which they sacrificed their all. With this objective in mind, Forward Bloc, the party founded by Netaji Subhas, along with millions of followers and devotees of Netaji Subhas have been observing Netaji-Birthday since long and urging upon the Government of India to officially declare it as "Deshprem Divas". It may be recalled that a proposal was put forward before the Netaji's Birth Centenary Celebration Committee headed by the then Prime Minister of India in 1996 that January 23, the birthday of Netaji be declared as "Deshprem Divas". Of late, a letter written to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on December 31, 2009 requesting the Government of India to declare January 23 as "Deshprem Divas". But no such request or appeal have reached the deaf ears of the Congress Government.

But after the long spell of silence, the first official reaction has been given to Dr. Barun Mukherji, Central Secretariat Member of All India Forward Bloc and a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), who raised a Special Mention of this issue in Rajya Sabha on 17 December 2008, requesting the government to declare 23 January as "Deshprem Diwas". But a reply to his Special Mention came only on 16 March 2010. The minister of State for Planning & Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India, Sri Narayanasamy replied in his letter no. F.3-10/2010-C&M/590, dated 16th March 2010 as such: "The suggestion made by you has been considered by Ministry of Culture. Many eminent personalities took part in the freedom struggle of India and the immense contribution made by them can not be judged relatively. If at all a day is to be declared as "Desh Prem Divas", it does not appear to be appropriate to be so declared on the birth anniversary of any particular personality. Even the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi has not been declared as any special day relating to the freedom movement of India. It is, therefore, not possible to agree to the request at this stage."

It shows how the government of India pitiably generalize Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's patriotism and sacrifice, when Mahatma Gandhi himself hailed him as a 'Patriot of Patriots'. Forward Bloc never undermines sacrifices of millions of freedom fighters. But Netaji's name arises only as a 'symbol' to inculcate the spirit of patriotism among the people, particularly when that much needed noble spirit is lacking at the moment. The Hon'ble Minister in his aforesaid letter has stressed that even Mahatma Gandhi's birthday has not been declared as any special Day. But the learned minister has carefully avoided to mention that Mahatma Gandhi is the only national leader whose birthday is declared as a National Holiday. However, without indulging in any such "relative" assessment of our national heros we are constrained to say that the government of India has not only failed to pay due homage to Netaji Subhas, but has also unfortunately tried to mislead the people on such a sensitive issue.

We, therefore, have thought it proper to organize such an august Citizens Convention to bring the whole issue to their notice and mobilize more public opinion in favour of the decade-long popular demand. By realizing the need for observing a Deshprem Divas and identifying it with the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, we are not obliging the great patriot, but only enriching ourselves and strengthening our national efforts to build a New India -- a much more developed and advanced India.

WE ONCE MORE APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TO DECLARE NETAJI'S BIRTHDAY AS "DESHPREM DIVAS" AND MARCH AHEAD ON WAY TO PROSPERITY ALONG WITH OUR REVITALIZED - REINSPIRED BAND OF PATRIOTIC YOUTHS.

Source: forwardbloc.org