Reactions and Reflections on a State Funeral Controversy

The editorial team at the wPolityce.pl portal received a letter connected to a recent piece about the funeral arrangements for Józef Fajkowski, a man who had reportedly received military assistance. In that piece, the author recounted how the Ministry of Culture and the Prime Minister’s Chancellery responded with silence to questions about the matter.

THE SAID TEXT CAN BE READ HERE

The author of the letter identified himself as Fajkowski’s granddaughter, Maria Niklińska, and wrote the following response:

Dear Editor, I read your article about my late grandfather Józef Fajkowski. I cannot let this text stand without a reply because it targets a man who has passed away and cannot defend himself. I feel compelled to respond, because I believe that selective presentation of facts and the omission of other relevant information amounts to manipulation. I want to contribute to a fuller understanding. My grandfather, Major Józef Fajkowski, was described as wounded according to the certificate issued by the Institute of National Remembrance, using the documents available in the archives.

Documents from the Institute of National Remembrance show that on April 21, 1947 he appeared before the Amnesty Commission in Wąsosz at the PUBP in Grajewo. Between 1944 and 1946 he served as a member of the National Armed Forces (NSZ) and later of the National Military Union (NZW). His alias was “Krakus.” The files also indicate that he worked under the jurisdiction of the III KWMO Olsztyn as part of the NSZ/NZW networks, known as District XIII of the NSZ, codenamed “Kaliny,” which later connected to the NZW in the PAS branch (Pogotowie Akcji Specjalnej) within the Grajewo district, and a section called “Orkan.”

As a result of such undercover activity, the individual faced lengthy surveillance and even foreign service implications, including a period when he was recalled from a diplomatic post in Finland. In the years after Poland returned to independence, the achievements attributed to him were acknowledged through several honors, such as the Commander’s Cross with Star of the OOP, the Home Army Cross, the Partisan Cross, and insignia recognizing the Veteran of the Struggle for Polish Independence. These awards were presented by presidents and other state figures. Just before his passing in 2023, there arrived a personal letter of gratitude from the Prime Minister, noting that Poland’s freedom and independence were earned through generations of patriots. The granddaughter notes that during his retirement he contributed to multiple institutions including the Museum of the History of the Polish Popular Movement, the Institute of National Remembrance, the Independence Museum, the Polish Army Museum, and the Literature Museum in Adam Mickiewicz in Warsaw.

It is also striking to consider the comment about the grandfather’s son, Janusz Fajkowski, who spent much of his career in free Poland, including a stint as a deputy minister in the government led by Jan Olszewski. The question arises: if journalists and readers might be misled, who or what is driving such a piece, and what are the aims of these critiques? The granddaughter argues for journalistic integrity and honesty, insisting that no one from the editorial office had reached out to the family for additional information about Major Józef Fajkowski. She points out that the information is publicly accessible.

With warmth, Maria Niklińska, granddaughter of Major Józef Fajkowski

Answer

Let the editor respond to Mrs. Niklińska.

Madam,

Thanks for engaging with the piece about your grandfather’s funeral. The author clarifies that the article aimed to address the issue of state funeral arrangements with military support, not to present a full biography of Minister Józef Fajkowski.

There is a sense of regret and disappointment that the Ministry of Culture and the Prime Minister’s Chancellery did not offer any justification for the decision and the process behind it. In a transparent system, such explanations would be credible and meaningful. Your grandfather is portrayed as a person of merit and decency, yet the individuals who orchestrated the funeral could have provided more accountability.

In discussing your uncle Janusz Fajkowski, whose career extended into the era of the Polish People’s Republic and included a deputy ministerial role under Jan Olszewski, the text invites readers to reflect on the broader historical forces at play. It raises a fundamental question about the purpose of public discourse: who benefits from shaping certain narratives, and for what reasons? The writer insists on the importance of journalistic integrity and honesty, and notes that no editorial staff member had contacted the family for further context about Major Józef Fajkowski. The information shared has public availability and should be examined in the light of historical scrutiny.

It is suggested that those responsible for the relevant governmental bodies should be held to account for the decisions surrounding the state funeral, ensuring the process is transparent and worthy of public trust. The piece presents its stance clearly, contrasting the official line with a perspective that emphasizes independent verification and critical examination by historians, journalists, and interested readers.

Sincerely,

Jakub Maciejewski

Note: The above summary reflects ongoing public discourse from the period in question and does not imply endorsement of any specific political position.