'SANNYASI DESHONAYAK/সন্ন্যাসী দেশনায়ক' BY AMLAN KUSUM GHOSH -- YOU MUST SEE IT BEFORE YOU CRITICISE EVEN

'SANNYASI DESHONAYAK/সন্ন্যাসী দেশনায়ক' BY AMLAN KUSUM GHOSH -- YOU MUST SEE IT BEFORE YOU CRITICISE EVEN

Ought respect for Netaji prompt one to denigrate the followers of Bhagavanji and cast whatever aspersions come to mind on them? Is this reverence for Netaji at all? Where is civility, respect for the democratic rights of all to pursue their line of thinking, doubtlessly based on certain suspicions about the officially approved theory of Netaji's disappearance-marriage et al and conviction to the contrary arising about the same? Is this political propriety to threaten people who subscribe to alternative views about the fate of India's premier patriot simply because one is blood-bonded to the one who himself avowed all Indians to be his kith and kin?

Why are so many opposed to the screening of the film 'Sannyasi Deshonayak' /'সন্ন্যাসী দেশনায়ক' conceived and directed by that tireless crusader for the truth of Netaji's disappearance, Amlan Kusum Ghosh? How damaging will it be to Netaji's reputation if post-disappearance he is raised to supreme spiritual status on account of his being depicted as a reclusive monk of formidable intellectual acumen, spiritual attainment, political sagacity and executive, operational ability? 

What have the aircrash protagonists ever done for Netaji by way of researching on his whereabouts post-disappearance that the followers of Bhagavanji have not done and done much more? Those who denounce the filmmaker for his endeavour to espouse Netaji's cause in his own way should consider what they have ever done for our supreme leader? These followers of Subhas Chandra Bose-Netaji-Bhagavanji-Mahakaal have dedicated their lives, their resources, their everything to the unearthing of the truth about the disappearance mystery and they in turn have been getting brickbats from irresponsible, shallow readers into the hero's life and afterlife.

Who is it that has benefited most from basking in Netaji's glory -- his kith and kin or they who have spent a lifetime fighting against terrible odds to resurrect 'the dead man from his grave'?

Why is it that whether it is a film made or a book released that makes waves or even a Facebook group opened to discuss the disappearance issue that seemingly a beehive is struck that sets loose a million bees to buzz about and sting? Has this ploy worked so far?

Public sympathy for Bhagavanji is on the rise as more and more people are beginning to repose faith in the narrative of the reclusive monk of Uttar Pradesh and the protagonists of the air-crash theory are being exposed as having ulterior motives that prompt them to thus denigrate, denounce, even threaten the ardent admirers, followers and devotees of Bhagavanji with dire political and legal action for daring to publicly link Netaji to Bhagavanji.

History will have its vengeance for sure on those who attempt to obstruct its course. Meanwhile, let us gather our wits and sink into our seats to view the cinematic presentation of this modern epic, 'the death and resurrection' of the one and only Netaji. Jai Hind! Vande Mataram!

Written by Sugata Bose