politics

Amit Shah lays foundation for 125-foot statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Kolkata, lauds BJP government in West Bengal

Published on: 06 Jul 2026, 10:03 PM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday laid the foundation stone for a 125-foot statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, in Kolkata's New Town area. The event coincided with Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary.

Addressing a commemorative programme, Shah expressed satisfaction that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power in West Bengal. He cited the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, as a fulfillment of a pledge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Today, Kashmir is an integral part of India,' Shah said.

Shah also highlighted several initiatives by the West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, including implementation of the Annapurna Yojana, allocation of land to the Border Security Force (BSF), and free travel for women in government buses. 'We are fulfilling the promises we made in our Sankalp Patra during the elections,' he stated.

Prime Minister Modi, addressing the event via video message, described Mookerjee as a visionary, patriot, and champion of national unity. 'Today, the nation and West Bengal are remembering a great son of the soil, a great patriot who was dedicated to the integrity of India,' Modi said.

The 125-foot statue is intended as a tribute to Mookerjee's enduring legacy. The event drew attention to the BJP's focus on West Bengal, a state where the party has been in power since 2021 after defeating the Trinamool Congress.

Source: The Hindu

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