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NEW DELHI: Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a versatile intellectual and academician, not just a political activist, but incidentally his historic contribution in the movement for total integration of Jammu & Kashmir tends to overshadow the fact that he was one of the greatest youth icons of pre-independence India, with a graduation degree in English Honours, post graduation in Bengali literature followed by a PhD in Statistics, and became a Vice Chancellor at 33.
This was stated here on Wednesday by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh while paying a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee at a commemorative event marking the 125th birth anniversary of the visionary leader.
Speaking at the gathering, Dr. Jitendra Singh reflected on the wide-ranging contributions of Dr. Mookerjee, calling him not only a political icon but also one of the most brilliant scholars of the 20th century.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, who represents the parliamentary constituency that includes Kathua district and the site where Dr. Mookerjee was arrested in 1953 for entering Jammu & Kashmir without a permit-linked the late leader’s sacrifice to the eventual abrogation of Article 370. “Three generations dedicated their lives to this cause, and perhaps it was destined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would fulfill Dr. Mookerjee’s unfinished mission,” he said.
Recalling historical moments, Dr. Jitendra Singh narrated how Dr. Mookerjee was detained the moment he crossed into Jammu and Kashmir. He termed the arrest “discriminatory and unfortunate,” adding that Dr. Mookerjee’s subsequent death in custody under suspicious circumstances denied him any legal recourse, as the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court did not then extend to the region.
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the emotional significance of representing the very location where Dr. Mookerjee was apprehended. He recalled how, as Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr. Modi had held a rally at the same place, underscoring the symbolic continuity between Dr. Mookerjee’s vision and the current government’s constitutional decisions.
Beyond politics, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized Dr. Mookerjee’s formidable academic achievements. “He was a first-rank graduate in English, pursued post-graduation in Bengali literature, earned a PhD in Statistics, and was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University at a time when the faculty was dominated by British scholars,” he said, pointing out that Dr. Mookerjee’s intellect earned admiration even from the colonial establishment.
The Minister also highlighted Dr. Mookerjee’s personal integrity, recalling how he resigned from both the Vice-Chancellorship and the Nehru Cabinet on matters of principle. “He believed that if his ideology didn’t align with the Cabinet’s, he had no right to continue as a minister,” Dr. Jitendra Singh said, contrasting that era’s political ethics with today’s.
In a personal reflection, Dr. Jitendra Singh shared that Dr. Mookerjee was the first Vice President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-a position Dr. Jitendra Singh now holds. “One of my first decisions as Vice President was to acknowledge Dr. Mookerjee’s foundational role by placing his name at the top of the CSIR succession board,” he added.
Concluding his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh quoted Dr. Mookerjee’s words: “No one can be a leader unless he is first a good worker,” and “Never leave any responsibility half-done.” The Minister said he has tried to imbibe these values in his own public life.
The commemorative event was attended by a large gathering, including senior officials, academicians, and admirers of Dr. Mookerjee’s enduring legacy. As the nation reflects on the life of one of its most complex and committed leaders, today’s event served as both homage and a reminder of the enduring relevance of his ideals.
