New Delhi — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday marked the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, describing the founder of the Jana Sangh as a lifelong champion of India’s unity, democratic values and national progress.
Modi, speaking at a commemorative event in New Delhi, said Mookerjee “devoted his life to India’s unity and progress” and highlighted his roles as an educationist, minister and political leader. The prime minister noted Mookerjee’s early “privileged” background, his tenure as the first Minister for Industry and Supply, and his establishment of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951 as a “force for national integration.”
The tribute also recalled Mookerjee’s death in 1953 after being detained in Jammu and Kashmir, portraying the incident as a “sacrifice” for the cause of integrating the state fully into the Indian Union. Modi urged contemporary politicians to emulate Mookerjee’s “selfless service” and commitment to a united, progressive India.
Analysis: Modi’s remarks come amid a broader revival of the Jana Sangh’s legacy by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which traces its ideological roots to Mookerjee’s organization. By emphasizing Mookerjee’s dedication to national unity and his opposition to what the government describes as “separatist” forces in Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister reinforces the BJP’s historical narrative linking present policies to a lineage of leaders who advocated a strong, indivisible nation. The speech also serves a domestic political purpose, reinforcing party credentials ahead of upcoming state elections where issues of national integration and security feature prominently.
Sources
Times of India – “Syama Prasad Mookerjee devoted his life to India’s unity and progress: PM Modi,” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/syama-prasad-mookerjee-devoted-his-life-to-indias-unity-and-progress-pm-modi/articleshow/132202844.cms
Story synopsis gathered from: Times of India – Top Stories — source
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