On July 6, 2025, India marked the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a visionary leader, nationalist, and founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
- Born in 1901 in Kolkata, he became one of the youngest Vice-Chancellors of Calcutta University at age 33.
- A barrister trained in London, Mookerjee served as Finance Minister of Bengal and later joined the Hindu Mahasabha.
- After Independence, he was India’s first Industry and Supply Minister but resigned over the Nehru-Liaquat Pact.
- In 1951, he founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, laying the ideological foundation for today’s BJP.
- He strongly opposed Article 370, promoting “Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan”, and died in 1953 in Srinagar under controversial circumstances.
