Birth Anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee | 07 Jul 2025

Why in News?

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid tribute to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary.

Key Points

• Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee: 
  • Early Life and Achievements: 
    • Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was born on 6th July 1901 into a prominent Bengali family in Calcutta. 
    • At age 33, he became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University (1934–1938). 
    • Introduced progressive reforms and actively contributed to academic bodies like the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore), and the Inter-University Board. 
    • He started "Bang Wani", a Bengali journal, in 1922 and The Nationalist in the 1940s. 
  • Political Career: 
    • He was elected to the Bengal Legislative Council as a Congress candidate representing Calcutta University. 
    • He resigned from the Council when the Congress Party decided to boycott the legislature, and later won the seat again as an independent candidate. 
    • During the Krishak Praja Party–Muslim League coalition government (1937–1941), he served as the Leader of the Opposition, voicing strong nationalist concerns. 
  • Post Independence: 
    • Ministerial Role: 
      • He joined the Progressive Coalition Ministry headed by Fazlul Haq as the Finance Minister, but he resigned within a year due to ideological and political differences. 
      • He later emerged as a prominent Hindu voice in Bengal politics, joined the Hindu Mahasabha, and was elected its President in 1944, marking a significant shift in his political journey. 
      • After the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Mookerjee advocated for the Hindu Mahasabha to expand its role beyond religious boundaries and engage in broader national service. 
      • He opposed the organisation’s decision to remain apolitical and, as a result, resigned from the Hindu Mahasabha on 23rd November 1948. 
    • Stance on the Partition of Bengal: 
      • He supported the partition of Bengal, 1946 and advocated to create a separate Hindu-majority state, West Bengal, within India, ensuring the safety and rights of Bengali Hindus. 
    • Role in Central Governance: 
      • He joined Pandit Nehru’s Interim Cabinet as the Minister for Industry and Supply, contributing to early post-Independence industrial policy. 
      • He resigned from the Cabinet on 6th April 1950, in protest against the Delhi Pact with Liaquat Ali Khan, expressing strong concerns over the treatment of minorities in East Pakistan. 
    • Founding of Bharatiya Jana Sangh: 
      • After consulting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Guru Golwalkar, he founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, modern day Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on 21st October 1951 in Delhi. 
      • He became its first President. The party won three Lok Sabha seats in 1952, including his own. 
      • Formed the National Democratic Party in Parliament, though it lacked official recognition. 
    • Stand on Kashmir and Article 370: 
      • He strongly opposed Article 370, describing it as a move that could lead to the Balkanisation of India and threaten national unity. 
      • He criticised Shaikh Abdullah’s three-nation theory and led a Satyagraha movement in collaboration with the Hindu Mahasabha and Ram Rajya Parishad to demand the removal of Article 370. 
      • On 11th May 1953, he was arrested while attempting to enter Jammu and Kashmir without a permit, and he died in custody on 23rd June 1953, under controversial circumstances.