BJP Demands Public Disclosure of Syama Prasad Mookerjee's 1953 Death in Jammu and Kashmir Jail
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday observed 'Balidan Diwas' in Srinagar to mark the death anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who died in a Jammu and Kashmir jail in 1953. The party called for an independent investigation into his death and demanded that all related facts be made public.
BJP national general secretary and MP Tarun Chugh stated, 'The successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir failed to explain the circumstances under which Mookerjee was arrested and died in custody in 1953. Under which law was Mookerjee detained? An independent investigation into his death was never conducted. All facts related to the case will have to be made public. Who was responsible for his death?'
Mr. Chugh was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma and MP Anirban Ganguly at the commemoration held at Tagore Hall. The BJP leader paid tributes to Mookerjee's sacrifices and vision, highlighting his 'enduring legacy in strengthening national unity.'
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A on August 5, 2019, Mr. Chugh said, 'Mookerjee fought for the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India. The abrogation of those articles completed the process of integration and fulfilled Mookerjee's vision.'
He also asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to 'clarify why information related to the case had not been placed before the public.' Mr. Chugh added that the BJP would continue to seek answers regarding the matter.
On the tribal invasion of 1947, Mr. Chugh said Jammu and Kashmir witnessed massacres for several days. 'Thousands of residents, including Hindus, Kashmiri Pandits and Christians, were killed. Women were subjected to atrocities. The previous governments have failed to adequately document and publicise details of the events,' he stated.
Demanding the release of archival records, Mr. Chugh said the country should publicise the events related to the 1947 invasion of Jammu and Kashmir.
