New Delhi, 06 July (H.S.): Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers, and several other political leaders on Monday paid tribute to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary, describing his ideals, vision for national unity, and commitment to a self-reliant and developed India as a lasting source of inspiration for future generations.

Paying floral tributes to Dr. Mookerjee's portrait at the Vice President's Enclave, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan said that as an educationist, visionary statesman, and nation-builder, Dr. Mookerjee left an indelible mark on India's educational, political, and democratic journey. He noted that Dr. Mookerjee served the nation with distinction as one of the youngest Vice-Chancellors of the University of Calcutta, a member of the Constituent Assembly, President of the All India Hindu Mahasabha, Independent India's first Minister for Industry and Supply, and the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

The Vice President said that Dr. Mookerjee was a steadfast advocate of national unity and integrity and made the supreme sacrifice while striving for the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India. He added that Dr. Mookerjee's life and ideals would continue to inspire generations in the collective effort to build a strong, united, self-reliant, and developed India.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, in a post on social media platform X, said Dr. Mookerjee's life was a shining example of unwavering dedication to national service and unity. He stated that while Dr. Mookerjee made significant contributions to higher education as an educationist, he also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to national interests and democratic values as a public leader. Birla said that through his ideas and actions, Dr. Mookerjee consistently strengthened the vision of a strong, harmonious, and self-reliant India, and that his dedication to national unity, integrity, and public welfare continues to inspire the people of the country.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said that Dr. Mookerjee made the principle of Nation First the guiding purpose of his life. He said Dr. Mookerjee's visionary leadership during the Partition of Bengal and his struggle to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir remained an integral part of India would always be remembered in the nation's history. Shah added that his unwavering commitment to principles and lifelong struggle for the country's unity would continue to inspire young generations.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Dr. Mookerjee always placed the spirit of Nation First, Always First above everything else in both his thoughts and actions. He described determination, fearlessness, compassion, and a scientific outlook as the defining features of Dr. Mookerjee's personality. Singh said that as the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and the ideological forerunner of the Bharatiya Janata Party, he laid a strong foundation for the ideology of nationalism that gave a new direction to Indian politics. He added that Dr. Mookerjee's unwavering commitment to cultural nationalism, democratic values, and national service continues to inspire millions of Indians.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Dr. Mookerjee launched a nationwide movement against the concept of two flags, two constitutions, and two prime ministers in one country and campaigned for the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. He said Dr. Mookerjee made the supreme sacrifice to uphold India's honour and dignity. Chouhan added that whenever the history of India's unity and integrity is written, Dr. Mookerjee's name will be inscribed in golden letters. By founding the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, he provided the nation with a strong ideological alternative and firmly established the principle of Nation First in the hearts of the people. His sacrifice, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the nation, Chouhan said, will continue to inspire future generations.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said that Dr. Mookerjee's unparalleled struggle and sacrifice for India's sovereignty and unity would always remain unforgettable.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to Dr. Mookerjee and said that by raising the slogan, One Nation cannot have two constitutions, two prime ministers, and two flags, he infused new strength into the resolve for national unity and integrity and awakened the entire nation through his supreme sacrifice. He added that Dr. Mookerjee's dedication to the vision of an Akhand Bharat continues to inspire people with renewed energy and determination.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that Dr. Mookerjee's life symbolised unwavering patriotism. She noted that by resigning from Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's Cabinet, he offered Indian politics a strong ideological alternative. She said placing national interest above everything else was the guiding principle of his life. His struggle to ensure that West Bengal remained an integral part of India during Partition and his supreme sacrifice for safeguarding the country's unity and integrity, she added, would always be remembered.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar