July 6 marks the 123rd birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a towering figure in India’s political history, whose legacy as a visionary leader, barrister, academician, and staunch advocate for national integration continues to inspire generations. Born July 6, 1901, Mookerjee’s multifaceted career significantly shaped India’s post-independence trajectory.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee hailed from a prominent family in Bengal, with his father, Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee, being a celebrated educationalist and judge. After graduating from Calcutta University, Mookerjee became a fellow of the Senate in 1923. Following his father’s footsteps, he enrolled as an advocate in the Calcutta High Court in 1924. His pursuit of higher education took him to Lincoln’s Inn in England, where he qualified as a barrister in 1927. At just 33, Mookerjee became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, a position he held until 1938. His tenure was marked by several reforms that enriched the institution’s academic and administrative framework.
Mookerjee’s political journey began with his election to the Legislative Council of Bengal as a Congress candidate representing Calcutta University. However, he resigned the following year when Congress decided to boycott the legislature, successfully contesting as an independent. He later became the opposition leader when the Krishak Praja Party – Muslim League coalition governed Bengal from 1937 to 1941. Briefly, he served as Finance Minister in Fazlul Haq’s Progressive Coalition Ministry, but he resigned within a year due to ideological differences.
A vocal advocate for Hindu rights, Mookerjee joined the Hindu Mahasabha and became its president from 1943 to 1946. After Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, he sought to transform the Mahasabha into a broader political entity serving all communities, leading to his departure from the organization in 1948 over ideological disputes.
In the interim central government led by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Mookerjee served as the Minister for Industry and Supply. However, ideological clashes, particularly over the Delhi Pact with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, prompted his resignation on April 6, 1950. This period underscored Mookerjee’s unwavering commitment to his principles and growing disillusionment with the Congress leadership.
Founding of Bharatiya Jana Sangh
With the support of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mookerjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh on October 21, 1951, in Delhi, laying the foundation for what would eventually become the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the party’s first president, Mookerjee steered it through the 1952 elections, winning three parliamentary seats, including his own.
Within Parliament, he formed the National Democratic Party, comprising 32 MPs and 10 Rajya Sabha members, although it was not officially recognized as the opposition. His political acumen and forthrightness earned him respect across party lines, even among his adversaries.
Mookerjee vehemently opposed Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Jammu & Kashmir, arguing that it threatened India’s unity. He viewed the arrangement as a step towards the balkanization of India and launched a massive Satyagraha, alongside the Hindu Mahasabha and Ram Rajya Parishad, to repeal these provisions. His defiance led him to enter Kashmir without the requisite permit, resulting in his arrest on May 11, 1953. Tragically, Mookerjee died in custody on June 23, 1953, under circumstances that remain controversial to this day.
Mookerjee’s death was a significant blow to the nation, sparking widespread mourning and eventually leading to the abolition of the permit system for entering Kashmir. His mother, Jogmaya Debi, poignantly remarked, “Proudly do I feel that the loss of my son is a loss to Mother India.” His contributions extended beyond politics; he was known for his knowledge, erudition, and commitment to India’s unity and sovereignty.
Today, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regards Mookerjee as a foundational figure, honouring his legacy and contributions. His vision and dedication to integrating Kashmir with India remain a cornerstone of his enduring legacy. As India commemorates his 123rd birth anniversary, Mookerjee’s life and work continue to inspire and guide the nation’s political and ideological discourse.
India remembers Syama Prasad Mookerjee as a martyr for the cause of national integration and a visionary leader whose efforts towards unifying Kashmir with India remain an enduring testament to his legacy.
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