'Just as he worked hard for freedom,' SC junks plea for holiday on Netaji's birth anniversary

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined a plea seeking direction to the Centre to declare Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary on January 23 as a national holiday and to build memorial halls and museums for him in New Delhi and other state capitals.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala told the petitioner's counsel that the best way to celebrate is by working hard, "just as he worked hard for freedom".

"Today is Children's Day and we celebrate many other days like Buddha Purnima, why not this?" Representing the petitioner K.K Ramesh the counsel asked the bench.

In reply to this query, the Chief Justice asked the counsel not to make a mockery of PIL (Public Interest Litigation).

Further, He pointed out that this is a matter for the Government of India to consider.

Ramesh, a resident of Madurai, contended in the plea that Netaji had committed many sacrifices for India's Independence.

"The Indian government failed to honour him till today even though thousands of Indian National army men died for India's Independence. The Indian government is always trying to hide the history of Netaji and nowadays young Indian students and people are not aware of the sacrifice of Netaji and his Indian National Army. In the world many countries including Japan honoured Netaji," said the plea.

Dismissing the petition, the bench said the directions sought by the petitioner clearly fall in the domain of the executive policy.

IANS