July 6: Birth Anniversary of Syama Prasad Mukherjee

Syama Prasad Mukherjee was an Indian barrister, politician and academician. He served as the Minister of Industry in Pandit Nehru’s cabinet. He was born on July 6, 1901.

PM Modi and several other leaders paid tribute to Mukherjee on his birth anniversary.

Highlights

He founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh with the help of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1951. The Sangh was the predecessor to Bharatiya Janata Party. He died in the custody of Jammu and Kashmir police in 1953.

He is widely recognized as the founder of BJP.

About Syama Prasad Mukherjee

Mukherjee supported the decision of Hindu Mahasabha and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s non-participation in Quit India Movement.

On Jammu and Kashmir

Mukherjee strongly opposed creation of Article 370 and the threat it posed to national unity. He fought against it inside and outside the Parliament. One of the major goals of Bharatiya Jana Sangh was abrogation of Article 370.

Tributes to Mukherjee

• In January 2020, the Kolkata Port Trust was renamed as Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee port by PM Modi
• In 2015, Syama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission was launched with an outlay of 720 million USD.
• In 2014, a multi-purpose indoor stadium built in Goa University was named after him.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2020