New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the contributions made by Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, founder-President of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), on his 120th birth anniversary on Tuesday.
Paying rich tributes to the leader, Modi wrote on Twitter: “I bow to Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee on his Jayanti. His lofty ideals motivate millions across our nation. Dr. Mukherjee devoted his life towards India’s unity and progress. He also distinguished himself as a remarkable scholar and intellectual.”
Dr. Mukherjee had founded the BJS on the advice of the then Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief M.S. Gowalkar in 1951. The present BJP is a newer form of that party.
PM Modi has repeatedly said that the India he is trying to develop is as envisioned by Dr. Mukherjee. It was the great leader’s dream to follow the path of Hindutva.
The BJP-ruled states and Union Territories organized programs to celebrate Dr. Mukherjee’s birth anniversary.
Dr. Mukherjee was born on July 6, 1901, in a well-off family in Kolkata. His illustrious son Ashutosh Mukherjee was a well-known Bengali scholar and intellectual.
After completing graduation from the Calcutta University, Dr. Mukherjee became a member of its Senate in 1926. In 1927, he passed the barrister‘s examination and became Vice-Chancellor of the University at the age of 33. After working there for four years, he joined the Calcutta Assembly as a Congress member.
After Independence, Dr. Mukherjee served the Jawaharlal Nehru government briefly as the Minister for Industry and Supply but resigned soon accusing Prime Minister Nehru of appeasement.
He founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951.
Dr. Mukherjee died on June 23, 1953, in Srinagar.
(Avya Mathur)
