Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Lift The Ban On The Use Of The Uniforms Of Azad Hind Fauj By The Indian Army ... on 25 April, 2003
Title: Need to lift the ban on the use of the uniforms of Azad Hind Fauj by the Indian Army while shooting mock war scenes in films.
SHRIMATI KRISHNA BOSE (JADAVPUR): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am trying to raise a very important point regarding Indian Army, the film world, and the freedom movement. I am very sorry that I have to say this to an empty Chamber. There is nobody in the Treasury Benches. But you are here and I find some distinguished Members of the Opposition are still here. I would like them to listen to this carefully.
Sir, the Indian Army usually helps the film world in shooting war scenes. This is a custom and a convention also. They take part in mock fights, i.e., if you are shooting India-China war, some of the Indian soldiers would put on Chinese uniform and be on the other side. If it is Indo-Pakistan war which you are doing, they would put on Pakistani uniform. We do find in many films some of them wearing Pakistan Army uniform and they take part in the mock fights.
It has been brought to my notice very recently that while shooting a film on India’s freedom movement, they have been told that the Indian Army will not put on the uniform of our Liberation Army, the Indian National Army, popularly known as Azad Hind Fauj because this is banned. I was shocked to hear this. After 57 years of Independence, you can put on a uniform of an enemy country but you cannot put on uniform of the Army which fought for our freedom and for whose sacrifice today we are standing here and taking part in India’s future. This is extremely shameful and ridiculous to say the least.
13.00 hrs. Sir, through you, I would like to ask the Defence Ministry to look into this matter. Such a thing is remnant of the colonial rule and it should be done away with forthwith. I am ashamed to learn that such a feeling still persists in this country. I have come to know about this from a well-known film director who had found that he could not have shot for this film because the soldiers refused to put on the uniform of the Indian National Army.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : Sir, we fully associate ourselves with the feelings expressed by her.
SHRIMATI KRISHNA BOSE : It is good that you have associated yourself with this cause.
MR. SPEAKER: I would like to request the Government to bring this matter to the notice of the Defence Minister.
THE MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI KASHIRAM RANA): Sir, certainly this would be brought to his notice.