Kolkata, Jan 23 (IANS) Observing that the country was in a situation where secularism was construed as a bad word, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen on Saturday said Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s vision of equity and justice was badly required in all spheres of life.
Even as he expressed interest in the secret Netaji files that are being declassified by the central government, Sen said it was far more important to debate Netaji’s life and work than his death.
“Netaji’s vision of equity and justice remain exemplary and profound today. Unfortunately that vision remained unrealised and the governments of independent India did not do enough to pursue that vision. The present government is doing even less,” Sen said here.
The eminent economist along with veteran actress Sharmila Tagore participated in the birth anniversary celebrations of Bose at the Netaji Bhavan here.
“We are in a situation, where Netaji’s vision is very badly needed in every sphere of life. Right now in the country, there is a sense of communalism being created so much so that secularism is being considered a bad word,” Sen said.
He said Netaji’s vision would not countenance sowing of discontent between social groups.
“I don’t think the majority, the Hindus have anything against the Muslims, Christians or Jews or Parsees, I think this is a constructed political agenda, and if we have to fight that, we have to follow Netaji’s vision of equity and justice,” said Sen.
On the issue of the declassification of Netaji files, Sen said he was interested to see what was there in the files, but it was far more important to debate his life and work, to follow his vision, rather than to discuss in what circumstances he died.