SYAMA PRASAD MOOKERJEE
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Context
- June 23 was the 70th death anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
- He had resigned from Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet due to Liaquat-Nehru pact of 1950.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee (1901 – 1953)
- He was an Indian who founded Bharatiya Jan Sangh in 1951. It won 3 seats in 1952 elections.
- Bharatiya jan Sangh is considered to be a predecessor of Bharatiya Janta Party.
- He opposed Article 370, and the associated special status to Kashmir.
- Despite being in opposition of Nehru and congress, he was a part of first Union Cabinet.
- He said “ek desh mein do Vidhan, do Pradhan aur Do Nishan nahi challenge”.
- It implied that one country should have one constitution, one prime minister and one flag.
- He was also a firm supporter of Uniform Civil Code in India.
- He also emphasised on banning cow slaughter.
- He was not allowed to enter the state of Jammu and Kashmir for protesting against Nehru and congress.
- While in the custody of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, he is believed to be died of a heart attack, on June 23, 1953.
- However the conditions of his death were suspicious and some believe it was not a natural death.
Background and Reason behind resign
- Partition of India was bitter and saw bloodshed.
- India was envisaged as a secular which would recognize and value the diversity of communities.
- On the same lines Nehru also wanted his cabinet to be diverse and hence Syama Prasad Mookerjee found a place in Union cabinet along with Dr BR Ambedkar.
- On the Independence Day, August 15, 1947, itself he became a part of interim government.
- Initially the supported notion of United India, later he advocating for a divided Bengal for Hindu Bengalis.
- According to his belief, Nehru – Liaquat pact was against the logical outcome of the Partition – a religion based states.
- He wanted the India to be modelled on principles of Hinduism.
- He proposed a systemic and government led and religion based exchange of population and property between two countries.
- However he resigned in April 1950 over the disagreement and displeasure over the controversial Nehru-Liaquat Pact.
Nehru-Liaquat Pact
- It was also known as Delhi pact.
- It was a bilateral agreement signed by PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan.
- It was signed in order to set guidelines and framework for protection of minority in two newly formed states of India and Pakistan.
Need for this Pact
- After partition it was felt that minorities of both countries should be protected against the aggression of majority community.
- Bad experience of partition, which saw massive communal rioting, led to firm resolve for such protection.
- Even in 1950 there were millions of Hindus and Muslims migration from East Pakistan to India and from India to East Pakistan.
Agreement in the Delhi pact
- Both countries agreed to protect minority communities throughout its territory.
- It had provisions for -
- Complete equality of citizenship.
- Security of property, life, customs and dignity.
- Freedom of movement and occupation.
- Freedom of speech and worship.
- These freedoms was not unlimited but with reasonable restrictions like law and morality.
- Equal opportunity for participation in the public life.
- Equal eligibility for holding political offices and other military and civil positions.
- Minority commissions to be set up in both countries.
Must read Article:
https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/dr-syama-prasad-mookerjee
PRACTICE QUESTION Consider the following statements about Syama Prasad Mookerjee: 1. In 1951 he founded Bharatiya Jan Sangha, a predecessor to Bharatiya Janata Party. 2. He was a firm supporter of secularism in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: (A) |