[GHHF] Students learned about Dr Shyam Prasad Mukherjee, a firebrand who advocated “One country, one constitution, one flag.”
Dr. Shyam Prasad Mukherjee was born in 1901 in Calcutta. He was very intelligent and well-educated. At the age of just 33, he became the Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University. What a great thing! That shows how intelligent and a leader he became at such a young age.
• He served as a minister under the leadership of Pandit Nehru. He had a problem with Kashmir having a separate constitution and a flag, even though it was a part of India.
• Shyam Prasad Mukherjee did not like this at all. He thought: "What? Isn't it one India? Why two constitutions in our country? Why two flags? Why two prime ministers (like one prime minister for Kashmir)? One country means we are all one. We should all have one constitution and one flag." He strongly believed in this ideology.
• He gave this ideology the slogan "Ek Desh, Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan" (One country, one constitution, one flag).
• For him, the country is important! Religion is important! He never divided people based on caste, religion or region. He believed that the country was one family and everyone should be together.
• He did not like giving special status to Kashmir at all. He strongly believed that this decision taken by Pandit Nehru was not good for the integrity of India. "Whoever divides our country in the name of regions or religions, it is like betraying the country. We are Indians, this is our mother, India!" He said firmly.
• Shyam Prasad Mukherjee resigned from the post of minister. He gave many speeches against this special status and sensitized the people.
• In 1951, he started Bharatiya Jana Sangh party that aimed to promoter nationalism, cultural integration and united India. Then it became present day Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)
• Finally, he decided to enter Kashmir, because at that time a special permit was required to go there. But he did not take that permit and left in the spirit of nationalism. "I don't need a permit. I am an Indian, I have the right to go anywhere in my country," he said, and moved forward bravely.
• He was arrested on the Kashmir border as he was planning to enter Kashmir. In 1953, he was put in jail. He remained in jail for a few days. On June 23, 1953, he died in that jail.
• There are many doubts about his death even today. His death has hurt many people. He fought for his country and the ideology he believed in until his last breath. Without thinking about his political future or votes, he risked his life for the country and for religion.
What should we learn from this story?
We should always respect our country and our religion. We should stand for the country and religion without succumbing to any temptation under any circumstances. We should not do anything that will damage the unity and integrity of the country, whether for votes or for personal gains. Especially, all Hindus should put aside caste and regional differences and stand on one palm. Only then can we become politically strong and protect our rights. Only if we are united will our country be strong. Shyam Prasad Mukherjee's sacrifice for the country is a guide for all of us!
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