Govt ready for debate on Mukherjee Committee report on Netaji

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The government today said it is ready for a debate in Parliament on its rejection of the Mukherjee Committee report on the death of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, emphasising that it has no intention to ''undermine the contribution of Netaji to Indian history, his glory and respect''.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters here that even the Mukherjee Committee has said in the report that ''no conclusive conclusion'' could be drawn about Netaji's reported death in a plane crash in Taipei.

''All past Prime Ministers, including the one just before the present one, had gone to Japan and paid respectful tribute to the ashes (of Netaji). Now to ridicule us on this issue to settle a political score is very unfortunate,'' he said.

Mr Dasmunsi said there was deep division among the Left party members and even within the family of Netaji on the issue of his death. While his wife and daughter are of the view that the leader died in the plane crash and the ashes in Japan are his, others disagree.

He said the government was ready for a comprehensive debate on the issue and if there was any need ''we are ready for an inquiry also.'' The minister said since it was an inquiry report, the government had to make its stand clear so the Action Taken Report was submitted rejecting the findings.

He denied the allegations that the government was not cooperating with the Mukherjee Committee since it was set up by the previous NDA regime.

''Some are saying it is the ashes of Netaji, others say it is not his ashes who will fight over the ashes,? Mr Dasmunsi wondered.

UNI AJ/KAS PA BD1843