'National Hero Still In Exile': Netaji's Daughter Renews Request For Return Of His Remains From Japan

New delhi (RNI) Two days before the 80th death anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, his daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, once again made a heartfelt plea to the Indian government to bring his remains back from Japan. The renewed request coincides with the solemn occasion of August 18, the day Netaji is believed to have died in a plane crash in 1945.

In a public statement, Pfaff reiterated her long-standing desire to see her father’s ashes returned to his homeland, providing a sense of closure to millions of his followers. She maintained that a DNA test should be conducted on the remains, which are currently enshrined at the Rengeji Temple in Tokyo, to definitively settle the decades-long controversy surrounding his death. “The time has come to put an end to this chapter of uncertainty," she said, stressing that scientific evidence would silence various conspiracy theories and honour her father’s memory. Her appeal comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Japan later this month.

“Netaji’s 80th death anniversary on August 18, 2025, marks a grim reality—a national hero remains in exile even 78 years after India became independent," Pfaff said.

While the official narrative holds that Netaji died in the plane crash in Taiwan, many theories persist, claiming he survived and lived in anonymity. Pfaff has consistently dismissed these theories, advocating for the official acceptance of his death and the dignified return of his remains.

She has also expressed her wish for a final, public ceremony in India where the ashes could be dispersed, allowing people from all walks of life to pay their last respects to the revered freedom fighter. The issue has been a subject of political and public discourse for decades, with successive governments facing calls to resolve the matter.

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