PM Modi pays tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary, says his vision continues to guide India | Today’s news
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tribute to the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Syama Prasad Mookerjee, on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary. Modi described him as one of India’s leading nation builders whose ideals of nationalism, selfless service and national unity continue to inspire the country on its way to Viksite Bharat.
In a post on X, Modi said Mookerjee’s life was defined by “scholarship, courage and an unwavering commitment to national service” and that he was dedicated to strengthening India’s unity, dignity and progress.
“Today, on the 125th Jayanti of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, I pay tribute to one of India’s most remarkable nation builders, whose life was defined by learning, courage and unwavering commitment to national service. He dedicated himself to the cause of India’s unity, dignity and progress,” he wrote.
Highlighting Mookerjee’s contributions, Modi described him as an outstanding thinker, educator and institution builder who promoted innovation and futuristic learning. He also credited him for laying the foundations of industrial self-reliance during his tenure as India’s first Minister of Industries and Supplies while ensuring that traditional sectors, artisans and cottage industries continued to flourish.
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Modi recalled Mookerjee’s humanitarian work during the Bengal famine and said it reflected his deep compassion for people in need.
“Above all, his unwavering commitment to the unity and integrity of India remains an enduring source of inspiration,” he said, adding, “As we move forward on our journey towards Viksit Bharat, his vision continues to illuminate our path.”
In another post, Modi said today is “a special day for countless people who cherish the ideals of nationalism and selfless service”. He wrote that although he was born into a privileged family, his father, Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee, being one of India’s leading educationists, Mookerjee chose a life of sacrifice and public service over personal comfort.
Modi said the defining principle of Mookerjee’s public life was his unwavering commitment to the unity and indivisibility of India. He credited him with playing a key role during partition to ensure that West Bengal remained part of India and said that his opposition to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir ultimately led to his arrest and death in custody. Referring to the Centre’s 2019 decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A, Modi described it as a “most fitting tribute” to Mookerjee’s sacrifice.
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PM Modi also highlighted the contribution of Dr. Mookerjee to education, noting that he became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University and introduced reforms that strengthened research, libraries, agriculture, teacher training and student welfare. The Prime Minister further recalled the role of Dr. Mookerjee in setting up important industrial projects like S Damodar Valley Plant Corporation. Prime Minister Modi said he felt honored to witness the revival of the Sindri power plant during his tenure as Prime Minister, describing it as one of the most special moments of his public life.
When he remembered Dr. As the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the ideological predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mookerjee believed that India needed a political alternative rooted in the country’s civilizational values and democratic traditions. He also appreciated the decision of Dr. Mookerjee’s resignation from Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet over differences on issues of national importance, calling it an example of principled public life.
