Statue of Subash Chandra Bose to be installed at India Gate: PM

New Delhi: Just days before the 125th celebrations of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced plans to install a 'grand statue' of the freedom fighter in granite at New Delhi's iconic India Gate. Until the statue was build, a holographic display of the same would be put up, the PM said.

"At a time when the entire nation is marking the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, I am glad to share that his grand statue, made of granite, will be installed at India Gate. This would be a symbol of India's indebtedness to him," the Prime Minister announced on Twitter.

The hologram would be unveiled on January 23, which marked Bose's birth anniversary, he added. According to a Hindustan Times Report, the statue will measure 28 ft by 6 ft as per government officials. 

Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah hailed the decision to install the statue as one that is significant for all of India.

"This is a befitting tribute to the legendary Netaji, who gave everything for India's freedom," he tweeted.

The Central government has already been facing flak for another issue involving India Gate, this time the Amar Jyoti Jawan memorial which will be extinguished this afternoon and a part of it's flame merged with the permanent torch kept burning at the National War Memorial.

Opposition parties and leaders have contended that this is yet another way for the BJP to rewrite history, as the Amar Jyoti Jawan memorial was established in 1971 under the rule of Congress President Indira Gandhi.

The names inscribed on the India Gate are those who fought for for the British in the World War-I and Anglo Afghan War, said the government, describing it as "a symbol of our colonial past". The government has contended that the merging with the National War Memorial will be a true "shraddhanjali" or tribute to martyrs as the names of soldiers who died for India are already inscribed there. 

"It Is ironic that people who did not make a National War Memorial for 7 decades are now making a hue and cry when a permanent and fitting tribute is being made to our martyrs," tweeted Sambit Patra, National Spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party on the issue.