The question of why Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s ashes remain in Japan is a complex one, steeped in historical ambiguity and persistent conspiracy theories. While official accounts state that Netaji died on August 18, 1945, from third-degree burns sustained in a plane crash in Taihoku (now Taipei, Taiwan), many have refused to accept this version of events. This disbelief, coupled with the lack of conclusive forensic evidence, has fueled speculation and prevented the repatriation of the ashes to India.
Following the reported plane crash, Netaji's body was cremated on August 20, 1945. On September 7, 1945, a Japanese officer, Lieutenant Tatsuo Hayashida, carried the ashes to Tokyo, where they were handed over to Rama Murti, the president of the Tokyo Indian Independence League. A memorial service was held, and subsequently, the ashes were entrusted to the Renkōji Temple, a Nichiren Buddhist temple in Tokyo, on September 18, 1945. They have remained there ever since, housed in a golden pagoda.
The primary reason for the ashes' continued presence in Japan is the unresolved controversy surrounding Netaji’s death. Numerous commissions of inquiry have been set up by the Indian government to investigate the circumstances of his death. While the Shah Nawaz Committee (1956) and the Khosla Commission (1970) concluded that Bose died in the plane crash, the Mukherjee Commission (2005) dissented, stating that he did not die in an air crash. The Indian government rejected the findings of the Mukherjee Commission, further deepening the mystery.
Skepticism regarding the plane crash theory has persisted for several reasons. Some find inconsistencies in eyewitness accounts and a lack of concrete physical evidence. Others point to a French secret service report dated December 11, 1947, which suggested that Bose was alive in 1947 and that his whereabouts were unknown. Conspiracy theories have continued to circulate, with some believing that Netaji escaped to the Soviet Union or lived in hiding in India.
The lack of a definitive conclusion has created a stalemate. Many believe that bringing the ashes to India without resolving the doubts surrounding Netaji's death would be premature and disrespectful. Demands for a DNA test to confirm the identity of the remains have been made, but these requests have not been fulfilled. Some reports suggest that the Japanese government has refused to conduct a DNA test. Without such verification, the controversy is likely to continue.
Moreover, the presence of the ashes in Japan has become a sensitive issue in India-Japan relations. The Renkōji Temple has become a pilgrimage site for many Indians who revere Netaji. Any decision regarding the ashes would need to consider the sentiments of the Indian diaspora and the potential impact on diplomatic ties.
In conclusion, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s ashes remain in Japan due to a combination of factors: the persistent disbelief surrounding his death, the lack of conclusive evidence, unresolved conspiracy theories, and the sensitive nature of India-Japan relations. Until these issues are addressed and a definitive conclusion is reached, the ashes are likely to remain at the Renkōji Temple in Tokyo, a silent testament to one of the most enduring mysteries in Indian history.
