Rename Andaman & Nicobar to Shaheed & Swaraj Islands: Netaji's family

Ever since the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh renamed Allahabad to Prayagraj, there has been a flurry of similar demands for changing names of other places.

The latest demand has come from the family of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. Netaji's relative and West Bengal BJP vice-president Chandra Kumar Bose has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that Andaman & Nicobar Islands be renamed to 'Shaheed and Swaraj Islands' as a tribute to Netaji.

In his letter, Chandra Bose said that Netaji "as the first Prime Minister of United Free India" had hoisted the national flag at Port Blair on December 30, 1943, thus establishing the Azad Hind government. He said that following this, Netaji had renamed Andaman & Nicobar Islands to Shaheed & Swaraj Islands.

In his letter dated November 11, Bose writes, "By hoisting the National flag, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, as the head of the Azad Hind Government also fulfilled his promise and commitment that INA (Indian National Army) would stand on Indian soil by the end of 1943."

"On December 29, 1943, Netaji accompanied by Sarvashri Anand Mohan Sahay, Captain Rawat-ADC and Col DS Raju, the personal physician of Netaji, landed at the Port Blair aerodrome in Andaman. The enthusiastic Indian residents accorded them a warm reception. Netaji appointed Indian National Army General AD Loganathan as the Governor of the Islands," he writes in his letter to Modi.

The demand comes at a time when PM Modi is scheduled to visit Port Blair in December to mark the 75th anniversary of Netaji's historic visit to the islands.

"India is celebrating the 75th year of flag hoisting by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on December 30, 2018. It is very heartening to note that you would be hoisting the Tricolour at Gymkhana Grounds, Port Blair, exactly from the same location where the first Prime Minister of United India had unfurled the flag. There has been a demand from the people of our great nation that the Government of India, rename Andaman & Nicobar Islands as Shaheed & Swaraj Islands as named by Netaji," he said.

Speaking to India Today TV, he said, "If the PM announces the name change, it will be a tribute to Netaji."

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