BJP president J.P. Nadda pays tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee
The BJP chief said the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founding president 'made the supreme sacrifice while opposing Articles 370 and 35A, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir'.
Mr. Nadda said 'Balidan Diwas' (Sacrifice Day) events were being held by the party workers across the country. 'Dr. Mookerjee passed away under mysterious circumstances in Srinagar jail. Even his mother had demanded an inquiry into his death, but the appeal was ignored by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a historic step and a true tribute to Dr. Mookerjee's vision and sacrifice,' he said.
'Born in Bengal, Dr. Mookerjee played a pivotal role in India's Independence and in shaping the identity of today's India. His contribution was especially crucial in ensuring that regions like West Bengal, Punjab, and Assam became and remained integral parts of the nation,' he added.
A party release said 'Dr. Mookerjee was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University at the age of just 33'. 'He later entered the Legislative Assembly and served United Bengal. After Independence, Dr. Mookerjee became a Minister in Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's first cabinet. However, ideological differences and his Opposition to Nehru's appeasement policies led him to resign from the post. He went on to establish the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and was one of its founding members,' said a party release.
The BJP chief said that after the political party's founding, 'Dr. Mookerjee had vehemently opposed the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir... and gave the slogan Ek desh mein do nishan, do vidhan, aur do pradhan nahi chalenge [Two symbols, two Constitutions, and two heads will not work in one country]' and launched a movement against it.
'At that time, entry into Jammu and Kashmir required a special permit. Defying this rule, Dr. Mookerjee set out for the State on May 11 without seeking permission. He was arrested at the border and imprisoned in Srinagar. Tragically, on June 23, 1953, exactly 72 years ago, Dr. Mookerjee lost his life under mysterious circumstances in custody...,' he said.
The BJP chief said: 'Every BJP karyakarta [worker] feels immense pride that on August 6, 2019, under the decisive leadership and resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the strategic execution by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Article 370 was finally abolished in Parliament...'
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