Remembering Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee — founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh-on his birth anniversary, the Delhi BJP leaders on Sunday paid floral tributes at his statue at the Delhi Gate area.
The ceremony, held under the leadership of Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, was attended among others by Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra.
All dignitaries viewed paintings from the art competition and also participated in a tree plantation drive.
The Chief Minister said that while many freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for India’s independence, Dr Mookerjee gave his life for India’s unity and constitutional integrity.
She said that he resigned from the Union Cabinet to launch a movement declaring “One Nation, One Constitution” during the debate on Kashmir.
CM Gupta said : “Today, when the Vande Bharat train crosses the Chenab River and India’s highest peak in Kashmir, we feel a deep connect with every part of the country.
One constitution and one flag now represents the entire nation.
Our duty as a political party is to carry forward the ideas and values shown by Dr Mookerjee.”
Vaishnaw said that Dr Mookerjee made a monumental contribution to shaping modern India.
Highlighting three-key contributions of Dr Mookerjee, the minister said that his thoughts inspired thousands of workers engaged in nation-building and his ideology brought about policy changes that now drive inclusive development.
Vaishnaw said Dr Mookerjee championed Indian languages and believed that learning in one’s native languages enhances comprehension.
“This vision is reflected in today’s National Education Policy, which includes Hindi and other regional languages.”
The minister said that Dr Mookerjee’s struggle against Article 370 eventually led to its abrogation in 2019 — a key milestone in his ideological journey.
“Today, efforts are ongoing in Kashmir to emotionally and economically integrate it with the rest of India, including road and rail development.”
Vaishnaw said Delhi deserved world-class infrastructure and urged all MPs from the Capital to inspect local railway stations and submit improvement plans.
He said it was under PM Modi, that Delhi’s railway budget increased tenfold and masterplans have already been prepared to modernise Shakur Basti and Azadpur stations.
Sachdeva said that Dr Mookerjee’s life embodies nationalism.
“From his early days to becoming India’s youngest university vice-chancellor, and later standing up for Hindus during the Bengal crisis — he was a visionary leader.”
The local BJP chief said that the founding of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in Delhi was rooted in nationalist ideology, which later flourished into the Bharatiya Janata Party — now the largest political party in the country.