Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Biography
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| Shyama Prasad Mukherjee |
Shyama
Prasad Mukherjee was one of the great leaders India has ever produced in the 20th century.
He made his mark in the Indian history as a brilliant educationist, social
reformer and political ideologue (ideologist). He was the founder of Bharatiya
Jan Sangh, the forerunner of one of the major Indian political parties, the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Dr.
Mukherjee was born on July 6, 1901. His father was Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, a
noted educationist and Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University. His mother
was Jogomaya Devi. Shyama Prasad was a brilliant student. He stood first in his
graduate and post graduate examinations. He went to England to study law and
qualified as a barrister. In 1923, he married Sudha Devi. Following the
footsteps of his father, he joined Calcutta University. He became a fellow and
member of the syndicate of the university. He proved his mettle (temperament)
there. In 1934, Shyama Prasad became the Vice-Chancellor of the University. He
spearheaded many reforms during his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor.
In
1929, Shyama Prasad was elected to the Bengal Legislative Council as a Congress
candidate. In 1930, he was re-elected there as an independent candidate. He was
elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly from the University area in
1936. Dr. Mukherjee became the Finance Minister of Bengal in the Fazlul Haque
Cabinet in 1941. He also became an elected member of IIS, Bangalore. For his
outstanding contributions to the field of education and research, Dr. Mukherjee
was awarded an honorary D. Lit by the Calcutta University. He also received an
LLD from Benaras Hindu University.
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| Shyama Prasad Mukherjee |
Seeing
the devastating flood in Midnapore in the year 1942, Dr. Mukherjee was greatly
pained on. British governor denied his permission to visit the affected areas.
Therefore he resigned from the cabinet. With the help of Ramakrishna Mission,
Mahabodhi Society and Marwari Relief Society Dr. Mukherjee organised relief for
the flood-affected people. He was the president of the Bengal Asiatic Society
from 1943 to 1945. In order to arouse the patriotic sentiments of educated
Indians, he started an English Daily-The Nationalist in 1945.
When
riots broke out in Dhaka, Dr. Mukherjee was in the forefront to restore
communal amity (friendly relationship) and peace. He Held talks with the Nawab
of Dhaka to maintain peace. He also organised the Hindustan National Guards to
co-ordinate relief measures. Dr. Mukherjee also played an active role in the
relief operations after the Bengal famine of 1943. He served as the
Vice-President of the Relief Co-ordination Committee of the famine.
Opposed
to the Congress ideology, Dr. Mukherjee joined the Hindu Mahasabha in 1939. He
was its President from 1940 to 1944. When India became independent in 1947, he
joined the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet as a Minister for Industries and Supplies.
He initiated a number of welfare measures as a minister. It was Dr. Mukherjee
who was the brain behind the Chittaranjan Locomotives and the Aeroplane
Manufacturing Factory in Bangalore. Owing to the differences in the Kashmir
policy of Jawaharlal Nehru he resigned from the cabinet in 1950.
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| Shyama Prasad Mukherjee |
During
this time, Sheikh Abdullah was the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. He was called
the Prime Minister. The state even had its own flag and the state government
had several constitutional powers which were not available for other state
governments. When several people under the leadership of Pandit Premnath Dogra
attempted to hoist the Indian tricolor in Kashmir they were prevented from
doing so by the administration. The situation remained volatile (unsteady)
In
1951, Dr. Mukherjee founded the political party, Bharatiya Jan Sangh, mostly
incorporating those subscribing to the right wing ideology. The Jan Sangh was
the predecessor (something that has been followed or succeeded by something
else) of the modern Bharatiya Janata Party. Meanwhile Kashmir was in turmoil (a
state of great disturbance). Dr. Mukherjee visited Kashmir to solve the issue.
He was arrested and imprisoned in Kathua and was denied all facilities. He was
not even allowed visitors. Thus in such deplorable (miserable) circumstances,
Dr. Mukherjee died on June 24, 1953. With his death, India lost a brave son and
a nationalist who dared to think different.
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