PM highlights Syama Prasad Mookerjee's legacy; CM calls for his contribution to be included in textbooks

PTI, July 6, 2026, Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Centre had fulfilled the dream of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee by abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution, and hailed him as a visionary who dedicated his life to the cause of national unity and integrity.

Addressing a programme through a video message to commemorate Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary, Modi said the country was remembering the contributions of a leader whose ideals continue to inspire generations.

"Our country is today remembering the great visionary Syama Prasad Mookerjee," the Prime Minister said.

Referring to the Centre's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, Modi said: "By abrogating Article 370, we have fulfilled the dream of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee."

The Prime Minister said Mookerjee stood for the idea of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" and remained steadfast in his commitment to national unity.

Highlighting Mookerjee's role during the Partition of India, Modi said there had been an attempt to take away the entire Bengal into Pakistan, but the Jana Sangh founder played a crucial role in mobilising public opinion against it.

Modi recalled one of Mookerjee's remarks from that period: "Congress divided the country, I divided Pakistan."

The Prime Minister said Mookerjee emerged as a strong alternative voice at a time when there was little room for differing political ideologies during the Congress era.

Modi also paid tribute to generations of workers who helped preserve and expand the ideological foundations laid by Mookerjee.

"Several workers have toiled to keep the ideology and principles of Bharatiya Jana Sangh alive," he said.

Tracing the evolution of the Jana Sangh into the BJP, Modi said the party had grown into a major democratic force while remaining rooted in the principles espoused by its founder.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said Mookerjee's contributions in keeping West Bengal part of India and his vision of an undivided nation should be included in the state's school textbooks from the next academic year.

Addressing an event to mark Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary at Mitra Institution, where the BJP ideologue was a student, Adhikari said the school in Bhabanipur will be renovated with contributions from his MLA Local Area Development Fund.

Adhikari represents the Bhabanipur constituency in the West Bengal Assembly.

He said that from the next academic year, textbooks should feature the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder's contribution to the formation of West Bengal, his views on patriotism and an undivided India, his Parliament speeches, ministership at the Centre and his role as the Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University.

"These should be printed, taught and discussed from school to university levels," the Chief Minister said at the programme that was also attended by the state's School and Higher Education Ministers.

Adhikari said he has requested the School Education Minister to include Mitra Institution in the PM Shri programme for its renovation, keeping the building's heritage structure intact.

"I will allocate Rs 25 lakh for renovation of this school from my constituency development fund of Rs 1 crore for this financial year," he said, adding the fund will reach the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner by August.