Gandhinagar, July 6 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday paid floral tributes to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary, describing the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh as an eminent nationalist thinker whose ideals of national unity and public service continue to inspire generations.

Patel offered flowers before Mookerjee’s oil portrait at the podium of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly during a commemorative programme attended by senior legislators, elected representatives and government officials.

In a message posted on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said Mookerjee had “fought till his last breath for the complete integration of Kashmir and for equal civil rights for all citizens.”

“Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s vision of ending the policy of ‘one country, two constitutions, two prime ministers and two flags’ has been realised today under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mookerjee’s ideals and his spirit of ‘Nation First’ will continue to keep the flame of dedication towards the motherland forever alive in everyone’s hearts,” he said.

Syama Prasad Mookerjee, born on July 6, 1901, was an educationist, parliamentarian and politician.

He served as the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta, became independent India’s first Minister for Industry and Supply in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet, and later founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951 after resigning from the Union government.

His political legacy is closely associated with his advocacy of national integration and his opposition to the special constitutional status then in place for Jammu and Kashmir.

He died in custody in Srinagar in 1953 after being arrested while entering the erstwhile state without a permit.

The Central government has been observing the 125th birth anniversary of Mookerjee through a two-year nationwide commemoration programme, highlighting his contributions to politics, education, industry and public life.

Among those present at the Gujarat Legislative Assembly were Deputy Speaker Purnesh Modi, Chief Whip Balakrishna Shukla, MLAs Rita Patel and Alpesh Thakor, Gandhinagar Mayor Mira Patel, city BJP president Dr Ashish Dave, the Deputy Mayor, municipal office-bearers, Gujarat Legislative Assembly Secretary Pandya and other officials.

The tribute in Gandhinagar formed part of observances held across the country to mark Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary.

–IANS

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