PM says abrogation of Article 370 fulfilled Syama Prasad Mookerjee's dream

Kolkata, Jul 6 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Centre had fulfilled the dream of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee by abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution, and hailed him as a visionary who dedicated his life to the cause of national unity and integrity. Addressing a programme through a video message to commemorate Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary, Modi said the country was remembering the contributions of a leader whose ideals continue to inspire generations. "Our country is today remembering the great visionary Syama Prasad Mookerjee," the Prime Minister said. Referring to the Centre's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, Modi said, "By abrogating Article 370, we have fulfilled the dream of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee." The PM said Mookerjee stood for the idea of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" and remained steadfast in his commitment to national unity. Highlighting Mookerjee's role during the partition of India, Modi said there had been an attempt to take away the entire Bengal into Pakistan, but the Jana Sangh founder played a crucial role in mobilising public opinion against it. Modi recalled one of Mookerjee's remarks from that period: "Congress divided the country, I divided Pakistan." The Prime Minister said Mookerjee emerged as a strong alternative voice at a time when there was little room for differing political ideologies during the Congress era. Modi also paid tribute to generations of workers who helped preserve and expand the ideological foundations laid by Mookherjee. "Several workers have toiled to keep the ideology and principles of Bharatiya Jana Sangh alive," he said. Tracing the evolution of the Jana Sangh into the BJP, Modi said the party had grown into a major democratic force while remaining rooted in the principles espoused by its founder. "What was once the Bharatiya Jana Sangh stands today in the form of the Bharatiya Janata Party, serving the people as the world's largest democratic force," he said. Expressing confidence in Mookerjee's enduring legacy, Modi said future generations studying the history of the BJP would continue to acknowledge his contribution. "I am confident that when future generations write the history of the Bharatiya Janata Party, they will certainly mention Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee's principles, courage and his far-sighted vision," the Prime Minister said. PTI PNT NN