‘Scrapping of Art 370 fulfilled dream of Syama Prasad Mookherjee’

PM Modi, Shah, Nabin, others pay tributes to Mookerjee

New Delhi, Jun 23: BJP leaders on Tuesday paid tributes to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his death anniversary and said the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir had fulfilled the vision for which he had sacrificed his life.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Mookerjee and described him as a distinguished patriot, scholar and statesman who dedicated his life to the country’s development.

In a post on X, Modi said Mookerjee’s unwavering conviction, courage in public life and commitment to national interest continue to inspire generations.

The prime minister said Mookerjee’s sacrifice remains etched in the collective memory of the nation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a strong and developed India guided by the values he cherished.

Mookerjee, a staunch opponent of Article 370, died under detention in Srinagar on June 23, 1953, after being arrested during his campaign against the permit system for entry into Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said June 23 was an inspiring day for BJP workers as it marked the sacrifice made by Mookerjee for the cause of national unity and the principle of “one nation, one constitution”.

Addressing a function in New Delhi, Shah said Mookerjee had opposed the separate constitutional arrangement in Jammu and Kashmir and raised the slogan against having two constitutions, two flags and two prime ministers in one country.

Recalling Mookerjee’s campaign, Shah said he had marched from Delhi to Kashmir and refused to seek a permit to enter the region, asserting that Kashmir was an integral part of India.

The home minister said Mookerjee was arrested after refusing to comply with the permit system and later died under suspicious circumstances while in detention in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah said the abrogation of Article 370 by the Narendra Modi government in August 2019 had realised Mookerjee’s dream and completed the mission for which he had struggled.

BJP president Nitin Nabin also paid floral tributes to Mookerjee at the party headquarters in New Delhi and said the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir was a major step towards fulfilling his vision.

Nabin said Mookerjee’s sacrifice for the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country would always be remembered and that the BJP was carrying forward the nationalist ideology he championed.

He said the work being undertaken by the BJP under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership to realise Mookerjee’s objectives was the true tribute to the Jana Sangh founder.

Several senior BJP leaders attended the tribute programme held on the occasion of Mookerjee’s 73rd death anniversary.

Statehood promise will be fulfilled: Chugh

Seeks declassification of 1947 tribal invasion records

Srinagar, Jun 23: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary and Member Parliament (MP), Tarun Chugh on Tuesday said the Centre remains committed to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be fulfilled.

Addressing a press conference here on the 73rd death anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the BJP leader said the Prime Minister has already indicated that statehood would be granted to Jammu and Kashmir, and the commitment remains intact.

“The promise has been made, and it will be fulfilled,” Chugh said.

Paying tributes to Mookerjee, he said the Jana Sangh founder sacrificed his life for the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. He alleged that several questions surrounding Mookerjee’s arrest and death in custody in 1953 remain unanswered and demanded that all records related to the case be made public.

“The country deserves to know the truth,” the BJP leader said. He asked why details related to the case had remained hidden for decades.

He also called for the declassification of archival records related to the 1947 tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that successive governments failed to adequately document the killings, destruction and atrocities committed during the invasion.

Chugh said thousands of people belonging to different communities, including Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Pandits and Christians, suffered during the violence and said the full extent of the tragedy was never brought before the public.

Urging authorities to open government archives, he said people should have access to historical records so future generations can understand the sacrifices made during the conflict. Drawing a comparison with efforts across the world to preserve memories of historical tragedies, he said events related to the 1947 invasion should also be documented and highlighted.

Chugh said Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and the party remains committed to protecting its interests and territorial integrity.

Responding to opposition’s allegations of corruption, he said the BJP follows a policy of zero tolerance against corruption and remains committed to transparency and accountability.