Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on June 23 said that the abrogation of Article 370 from J&K had fulfilled the long-cherished dream of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee for a united and integrated India.
Addressing a state-level programme organized at Jayadev Bhawan in Bhubaneswar to mark the Balidan Diwas (Martyrdom Day) of Dr. Mookerjee, the Chief Minister paid rich tributes to the nationalist leader and called upon the youth to draw inspiration from his “Nation First” philosophy in building a prosperous Odisha and a developed India.
Tribute to a Nationalist Visionary
Speaking at the event, Majhi described Dr. Mookerjee as a great son of Mother India who dedicated his life to safeguarding the country’s unity, integrity, and national consciousness. He said Dr. Mookerjee’s ideals continue to inspire generations and remain relevant in contemporary India.
ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଭାରତ ମାତାର ମହାନ ସୁପୁତ୍ର ଡକ୍ଟର ଶ୍ୟାମାପ୍ରସାଦ ମୁଖାର୍ଜୀଙ୍କ ବଳିଦାନ ଦିବସ ଅବସରରେ ଜୟଦେବ ଭବନରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ରାଜ୍ୟସ୍ତରୀୟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଯୋଗ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି। ମହାନ ଜନନାୟକ ଡକ୍ଟର ଶ୍ୟାମାପ୍ରସାଦ ମୁଖାର୍ଜୀଙ୍କ 'ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ର ପ୍ରଥମ' ନୀତିରେ ଅନୁପ୍ରାଣିତ ହୋଇ ପବିତ୍ର ଓଡ଼ିଶା ମାଟି ତଥା… pic.twitter.com/skUG8nFsI4
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) June 23, 2026
The Chief Minister urged young people to internalize Dr. Mookerjee’s values and actively participate in nation-building efforts. According to him, the progress of the country depends on citizens who place national interest above all other considerations.
Contributions to Education and National Integration
Highlighting Dr Mookerjee’s achievements in the field of education, Majhi noted that he became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta at the age of 33 and introduced several significant reforms in higher education.
He also emphasized Dr Mookerjee’s historic role in advocating the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India. Referring to his famous slogan, “Ek Desh Mein Do Vidhan, Do Pradhan, Do Nishan Nahin Chalenge” (One Nation cannot have two constitutions, two prime ministers, and two flags), the Chief Minister said it became a symbol of India’s unity and sovereignty.
Majhi stated that Dr. Mookerjee devoted his life to opposing special constitutional provisions such as Articles 370 and 35A, which he believed hindered the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian Union.
Article 370 Abrogation a Historic Milestone
The Chief Minister stated that the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019. This action fulfilled Dr. Mookerjee’s dream of a unified and integrated India.
Describing the move as a true tribute to the late leader, Majhi said that today a single Constitution and the national tricolour proudly represent India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
ଡକ୍ଟର ଶ୍ୟାମା ପ୍ରସାଦ ମୁଖାର୍ଜୀଙ୍କ ରାଜ୍ୟସ୍ତରୀୟ ବଳିଦାନ ଦିବସ ପାଳନ ଅବସରରେ ଜୟଦେବ ଭବନରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ମୋହନ ଚରଣ ମାଝୀଙ୍କ ସମେତ ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଅତିଥିଗଣ। pic.twitter.com/juyHNP1j0U
— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) June 23, 2026
He further remarked that Dr. Mookerjee’s legacy continues through the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which evolved from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founded by him on October 21, 1951. The Chief Minister said the party’s guiding principles remain rooted in cultural nationalism and national interest.
Call for Vigilance Against Anti-National Forces
Majhi criticised previous governments for allegedly neglecting the contributions of Dr Mookerjee and asserted that the current government considers the observance of his martyrdom day a national duty.
He also called upon citizens to remain vigilant against forces promoting corruption, dynastic politics, and activities detrimental to national interests. Reiterating the importance of national unity, he urged people to uphold the ideals for which Dr. Mookerjee made the ultimate sacrifice.
Other Dignitaries Pay Homage
Speaking on the occasion, Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy said Dr. Mookerjee played a crucial role in spreading nationalist thought in post-Independence India. She described him as a true patriot whose commitment to the nation transcended political boundaries.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Dushyant Kumar Gautam, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, and several other dignitaries also addressed the gathering. Additional Chief Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department, Hemant Sharma, delivered the welcome address.
Earlier in the day, floral tributes were offered at the statue of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Park in Satsang Vihar, Bhubaneswar. Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal, MLA Babu Singh, and other public representatives participated in the homage ceremony. A tree plantation programme was also organized as part of the observance.
