Garland Netaji Bose Statue, Play 'Kadam-Kadam Badhae Ja' Tune On Jan 23 (Desh Prem Divas) As Per Govt Memorandum: PIL In Calcutta HC

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea has been moved before the Calcutta High Court seeking direction to the West Bengal Govt to ensure garlanding of the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the District Head Quarters and playing the tune of Kadam Kadam Badhaye Jaa on 23rd January (every year) being Desh Prem Divas, in accordance with its 2011 memorandum.

The PIL has been moved by one Fareed Molah praying that the Government of West Bengal be directed to implement the memorandum issued by it in the year 2011, wherein it was declared as to how Desh Prem Divas will be observed in every district headquarter on 23 January every year.

[NOTE: January 23 is also known as Netaji Jayanti as he was born on 23 January 1897. The Central Government last year decided to observe Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary on January 23 every year as Parakram Diwas.]

It has been stated in the PIL moved before the High Court that the memorandum of the State Govt dated January 20, 2011 was given effect to only in the year 2011 (23rd January), and the Desh Prem Divas was never celebrated thereafter in the District Head Quarters by the concerned District Magistrates.

"That there was no garlanding of the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the District Head Quarters by the concerned District Magistrate on 23rd January in terms with the memorandum dated January 20, 2011 after the year 2011. Further, The Police Band, were available, did not play the tune of 'KADAM KADAM BARYE JAA' at the site being the District Head Quarter during the garlanding," the PIL further states.

Importantly, the PIL submits that the memorandum of the Government of West Bengal specifically states that on January 23, being Desh Prem Divas, the garlanding of the statues of Netaji in district headquarters has to be done and the tune of Kadam Kadam Badhaye Jaa has to be played where the police band is available.

The PIL has also stated that the petitioner had made several representations to the chief minister of the state to give effect to its 2011 memorandum, however, the PIL claims, no action, howsoever, was taken by the Government.

Agaisnt this backdrop, the PIL seeks a direction to the State Government to implement its memorandum and ensure that the modalities mentioned in the same be implemented in letter and spirit.