Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij announced on Friday that a state-level function will be organized on July 6 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Ambala Cantonment. Union Health Minister and former BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda will address the event. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, BJP state president Dr Archana Gupta, and several other prominent leaders from the state are also expected to attend.
Preparations reviewed by Anil Vij
Anil Vij held a meeting with party workers at the BPS Planetarium in Ambala Cantonment to review preparations for the programme. He issued directions regarding the event and emphasized the significance of the location. Vij stated that the Central Government chose Ambala Cantonment because Dr Mookerjee had halted there during his journey from Delhi to Kashmir. He had addressed a public meeting in Ambala Cantonment before proceeding to Kashmir. Therefore, it has been decided to commemorate his birth anniversary on a grand scale in Ambala.
Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee's legacy
Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee served as the Industry Minister in India's first government. He became dissatisfied with the functioning of the Congress and felt the need to establish a separate political party, leading to the founding of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh. Vij recalled that at the time, anyone wishing to enter Kashmir had to obtain a permit from the Jammu and Kashmir government. However, Mookerjee declared that he would travel without a permit because Kashmir was an integral part of India. He opposed the separate constitutional status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, arguing that “Ek Desh Mein Do Pradhan, Do Vidhan, Do Nishan Nahin Rahenge.”
Journey and arrest
Mookerjee began his journey from Delhi by train and stopped at Ambala Cantonment. There, he addressed a public gathering at the Grain Market and also visited the homes of some party workers. He arrived in Ambala on May 8, departed for Punjab the following day, and on May 11 was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir government and imprisoned. He later passed away under mysterious circumstances.
Celebration plans
Anil Vij said Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee's birth anniversary would be celebrated with great enthusiasm in Ambala Cantonment on July 6. A large number of party workers had gathered on Friday to prepare for the programme. The event aims to honor Mookerjee's contributions and his stand against Article 370.
