Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 5: Paying tributes to founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) and veteran national leader, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherji on the eve of his 119th birthday, the former Union Minister, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta said that towering personality on many accounts, Shyam Babu was a great nationalist having unflinching faith in the integrity of the country but unfortunately he became the target of politicians having their own aggrandisements.
Prof. Gupta said that because of a rein of terror and cruelties were let loose in the State against those who had launched Satyagrah movement with his slogans viz. “Ek Desh Mein Do Vidhan, Do Nishan, Do Pradhan Nahin Challege,” the police had gunned down as many as 15 youth at different places while hoisting the Indian Tricolor and thousands others were arrested to face horrible situation, Dr. Mukherji being the opposition leader of the country wanted to see that what was all happening but was arrested in controversial circumstances by the police of State at Ravi bridge on May 11, 1953, and taken to Srinagar in a jeep after travelling at night.
At Srinagar, Dr. Mukherji along with two others; Vaid Guru Dutt, a writer, and Taik Chand, his private secretary, were lodged in the huts of gardeners (Malies) at Nishat Bagh, which has been demolished as many visitors had started to reach there being a place of historic importance.
Dr. Mukherji and his colleagues were charged for entering the State of J&K without permit, which was like that of visa prevailing in those days.
During detention at Srinagar on the night of 22/23 June, 1953, Dr. Mukherji expired in circumstances shrouded in mystery. No enquiry was held despite the demand made by the aged mother and so many others including the then Bengal Chief Minister, Dr. B.C Roy, he added and said that because of the martyrdom of Dr. Mukherji and sacrifices of many other patriots led by Pt. Prem Nath Dogra, the permit system was abolished and several other walls of separatism were demolished but the root of many complex problems, Article 370 still persisted despite being a temporary provision.
Prof. Gupta observed that Kashmir mission of Dr. Mukherji is still incomplete and it was responsibility of all the nationalists to take note of the problem. This would be real tribute to the great martyr, he added.
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