Kolkata, Jul 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the abrogation of Article 370 had fulfilled the dream of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee while asserting that his ideology and principles continue to shape the BJP’s governance agenda and guide “New India”.
Addressing a commemorative programme through a video message on Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary, Modi described him as a visionary, patriot and champion of national unity, and drew a direct ideological link between the Jana Sangh founder’s political struggles and several of the BJP’s signature policy decisions, including the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
“Today, the nation and West Bengal are remembering a great son of the soil, a great patriot who was dedicated to the integrity of India,” Modi said while lauding the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal for honouring the nationalist leader’s legacy.
In remarks carrying strong political and ideological overtones, the Prime Minister linked the BJP-led Centre’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status in August 2019 with Mookerjee’s long-standing opposition to Article 370 and his campaign for the complete integration of the erstwhile state with the rest of the country.
The constitutional arrangement allowed the state to maintain its own constitution, fly a separate state flag, and use distinct titles for its leaders — Prime Minister, and not the chief minister, and Sadar-e-Riyasat in place of governor.
“Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was completely dedicated to the vision of one India, supreme India.
He gave the nation the mantra that one country cannot have two constitutions, two heads and two symbols. This was not merely a slogan; it was a call for equal rights, an equal Constitution and an equal national consciousness,” he added.
Recalling Mookerjee’s arrest during his agitation against Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and his death in custody in 1953, Modi said the Jana Sangh founder had fought for his convictions till the very end.
“He fought for his principles, went to jail and ultimately made the supreme sacrifice for Kashmir. Today, our government takes pride in the fact that by dismantling the wall of Article 370, we have fulfilled Dr Mookerjee’s dream,” the Prime Minister said.
He also used the occasion to stress Mookerjee’s role during the Partition, particularly in safeguarding the interests of Bengal when, according to him, efforts were being made to include the entire province in Pakistan.
“Dr Mookerjee stood firm against these conspiracies. He mobilised public opinion, fought political battles and ensured that Bengal remained an integral part of India,” Modi said.
“Congress divided the country, and I divided Pakistan,” he quoted Mookerjee.
The PM repeatedly highlighted the role of the BJP government in West Bengal in commemorating the Jana Sangh founder, describing it as a reflection of a governance philosophy centred on “Nation First”.
“Just a few days ago, on June 20, Paschimbanga Divas was organised in a grand manner. It was a salute to the land of Bengal and its heritage. Today’s programme is part of the same effort to honour our heritage. I congratulate the West Bengal government for organising such a grand event,” he said.
Today’s programme is also a testament to the fact that when there is a government committed to “Nation First”, national heroes are honoured and every effort is made to work according to their vision, Modi said.
The Prime Minister noted that the Centre was observing Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary as a two-year national commemoration.
“It began on July 6 last year and will continue till July 6 next year,” he said.
Describing Mookerjee’s life as an example of how conviction, ideological clarity and commitment could transform an idea into a mass movement, Modi said his journey represented the power of a deeply held belief backed by sustained public engagement.
Tracing the origins of the Jana Sangh, Modi said Mookerjee had introduced ideological diversity into Indian politics at a time when the Congress dominated the national landscape and alternative political viewpoints struggled to find space.
“It was then that Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee dared to embrace a new idea, challenging all those circumstances,” he said.
According to Modi, the formation of the Jana Sangh represented far more than the launch of a political organisation.
“It was an expression of unwavering faith in ideological diversity in democracy, national reflection and public participation. It was from this very faith that the Bharatiya Jana Sangh was born,” he said.
The PM also paid tribute to generations of Jana Sangh and BJP workers who, he said, dedicated their lives to preserving and nurturing that ideological movement through decades of political struggle.
“An ideology does not become immortal merely because it is founded. It becomes immortal when generations nurture and carry it forward. Several workers devoted their entire lives to keeping the ideology and principles of Jana Sangh alive,” he said.
Modi drew a direct line from the Jana Sangh to the BJP, saying, “That same Bharatiya Jana Sangh is today serving the people as the Bharatiya Janata Party, the world’s largest democratic force.”
He said Mookerjee’s ideas were not only relevant in contemporary India but were helping shape the country’s future.
“His ideology is flourishing in the present and giving direction to a new India,” Modi said.
Expressing confidence that Mookerjee’s contribution would remain central to the BJP’s narrative, Modi said future generations would continue to draw inspiration from his courage, vision and commitment to national unity.
“I am fully confident that when future generations write the history of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s journey and study it, they will certainly mention Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s ideas, courage and foresight,” he said.
