Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was born on July 6, 1901, in Calcutta to Sir. Ashutosh Mukherjee and Mrs Jogmaya Devi. He was the second of their seven children. Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee had a sharp mind and was a brilliant scholar. After receiving his higher education, he became the youngest Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University and served in that capacity twice. As Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, he brought about many fundamental reforms in education. At that time, India was under British rule. He connected education with self-respect, changing the symbol of British subjugation at Calcutta University to “Shri” written in the middle of a fully-bloomed lotus, a symbol of Indian culture. The university’s convocation was then conducted in English. He invited Guruvar Rabindranath Tagore to the 1937 convocation, initiating a new tradition where Tagore delivered his speech in Bengali.
His educational initiatives included increasing women’s education, creating opportunities for Indian scholars, and incorporating Indian culture. In 1929, he entered the Bengal Legislative Council from the Calcutta University constituency. He entered politics to protest the oppression of Hindu society by the coalition Government of the Muslim League and Krishak Praja Party in Bengal. He continued to protect Hindu society until his death. Later, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee joined the Hindu Mahasabha and became its national president. The then Chief Minister, Dr Suhrawardy, was promoting the slogan of United Bengal in the name of language. His plan was for Bengal to remain undivided and join Pakistan.
Some Congress leaders, due to a lack of understanding, were also supporting this. Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee understood this conspiracy and declared, “Neither will we live in Pakistan, nor in United Bengal. We are a part of India and will live with India.” He launched a strong movement for this cause. He successfully convinced Congress leaders and Lord Mountbatten, through letters and dialogue, that if the division of Punjab was possible, so too was Bengal’s. Today, we can proudly recognise the fact that had Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee not been there, Bengal would not have been a part of India.
We can feel this crisis even more when we compare it with the events happening in Bangladesh today, where neither Hindus nor Maa Kali and her temples are safe. Even the statue of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, who gave Bangladesh its national anthem, is being destroyed. If they don’t even accept their founding father, Bangabandhu Mujibur Rahman, how will they accept Hindu society? Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee had recognised this with his farsightedness. If Bengal were not with us today, the North-Eastern part of India would also not be. Today, we all understand the strategic importance of the Chicken Neck that connects India. From an economic point of view, the importance of the Bay of Bengal can only be seen by connecting it with Calcutta. The danger that Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee anticipated with his farsightedness and his efforts to keep Bengal with India, that crisis is now before us all in Bengal.Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was the Minister of Industry in the Nehru Government.
At the time of India’s partition, he was deeply saddened by the conversion, atrocities, and neglect of Hindu refugees living in Pakistan. The Nehru-Liaqat Pact, aimed at resolving the problem, was also biased. He resigned due to the Nehru Government’s neglectful behaviour towards Hindus and returned to Calcutta to serve the refugee Hindu community. While serving as Industry Minister, he formulated the Indian Industrial Policy in 1948 and played a leading role in the establishment of the Industrial Finance Corporation of India 1948. He introduced an industrial policy with the mantra of self-reliance.
His focus areas were four sectors: defence, atomic energy, railways, and air services. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Hindustan Aircraft Factory, Sindri Fertilisers Plant, Dhanbad, Damodar Valley Project, Hirakud Dam, and Bhilai Steel Plant are famous industries established by him, which are still contributing to the country’s development.
Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was not only a visionary but also a sensitive and service-minded leader. In 1943, Bengal faced its worst famine. It was estimated that around 30 lakh people died in this famine.
This famine was not just a natural calamity but was caused by the failures of British rule. Instead of providing food relief, the administration behaved in a biased manner and left the common man to the mercy of God. At this time, he vehemently opposed the failed policies of the British Government and the then-Chief Minister. He collected relief material from society and led the service and relief work. He was so engrossed in serving the famine-stricken that he could not even be present for the “Sampradana” ritual performed by the father at his daughter’s marriage.
After independence, he founded Bharatiya Jana Sangh to protect the nationalist policies and democracy of the country. At its foundation, he said, “We need a nationalist alternative to the Congress.” In the first Parliament, he formed a joint coalition, called the National Democratic Party (NDP), to oppose Nehruji’s dictatorial mentality. This party comprised 34 MPs from the Lok Sabha and 20 MPs from the Rajya Sabha. At that time, Nehruji had said, “I will crush the Jana Sangh.” To this, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee firmly replied, “I will crush this crushing mentality.”
This demonstrates his faith in democracy and his courage. Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee was the President of the Mahabodhi Society from 1942 to 1953. He was instrumental in getting the sacred bone relics of Sariputra and Mahamogallan installed at Sanchi during the International Buddhist Conference of 1952. He travelled to Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam, and Thailand for Buddhism. He was an ardent devotee of national unity who advocated for the abolition of Article 370, declaring that “two flags, two heads, two constitutions” would not work within one country. He sacrificed his life on June 23, 1953, to fulfil this resolution and left us. Today, the nation is fulfilling its resolution and paying humble tribute to him on his birth anniversary.
(The writer is National Joint General Secretary of BJP. Views are personal)