Article 370 repeal completed Mookerjee’s unfinished mission: Amit Shah

Pays tributes Jan Sangh founder on his anniversary

Calls him tallest leader who contributed for nation’s unity, integrity

Srinagar, Jun 23: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday paid rich tributes to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his death anniversary, describing him as one of the nation’s tallest leaders whose contributions played a vital role in safeguarding India’s unity and integrity. He said with the repeal of Article 370, Mookerjee’s unfinished mission was completed.

Addressing a gathering during the launch of NAFED’s auction portal in New Delhi, Shah said June 23 holds immense emotional significance for Bharatiya Janata Party workers as it marks the day Mookerjee laid down his life for the cause of national unity.

“June 23 is a deeply inspiring day for BJP workers like me. It was on this very day that Syama Prasad Mookerjee sacrificed his life to uphold the idea of ‘One Nation, One Constitution, One Flag’,” Shah said.

The Home Minister said that Mookerjee died under mysterious circumstances while lodged in a jail in Jammu and Kashmir and was denied proper medical treatment.

Recalling Mookerjee’s role during the Partition era, Shah said the Jana Sangh founder fought tirelessly to ensure West Bengal remained part of India while East Bengal went to Pakistan.

“It was because of Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s efforts that West Bengal continues to remain an integral part of India today,” he said.Referring to the erstwhile special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, Shah said the provision had created a separate constitutional framework in the region which, according to him, posed a threat to the unity and integrity of the country.

“After Independence, Jammu and Kashmir had its own Constitution, separate flag, Prime Minister and President. This arrangement was dangerous for national unity,” Shah said.

He said Mookerjee launched a movement against the system and coined the slogan that there cannot be “two constitutions, two flags and two Prime Ministers in one country.”

Shah recalled that Mookerjee had marched from Delhi to Kashmir in protest against the permit system then in force.“When he reached the border of Jammu and Kashmir, he was asked to produce a permit. Mookerjee said Kashmir is an integral part of India and he did not require permission to enter any part of his own country,” Shah said.

The Home Minister said Mookerjee was arrested after refusing to comply with the permit system and later died in detention.Shah asserted that Mookerjee’s vision was ultimately realised after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

“Today, Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s dream has been fulfilled. Article 370 has been abrogated and the vision of one Constitution across the country has become a reality,” he said.

Shah also highlighted the growth of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded by Mookerjee, into the Bharatiya Janata Party, which he said now governs across large parts of the country.

Praising NAFED’s transformation, Shah said the cooperative body, which was once on the verge of collapse in 2014, has now achieved a turnover of Rs 30,000 crore and a profit of Rs 500 crore while serving nearly 7.6 million farmers across India.