kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata | June 22, 2026 : The presentation of the historic 2026–27 West Bengal Budget in the State Assembly, the new BJP government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a major political and cultural decision to honour the legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh and former Union Minister. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta declared that July 6, the birth anniversary of Dr. Mookerjee, will now be observed every year as a full-day state government holiday across West Bengal.

Announcing the special decision in the budget, the government stated that Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s contribution to the history of West Bengal and the nation has been remarkable and glorious. Since 2026 marks the 125th birth anniversary of the eminent Bengali leader, the state government has decided to organise various grand programmes and commemorative events throughout the year to make the occasion memorable.

To preserve and permanently honour the memory, ideals, and heritage of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the government has announced a massive financial package of ₹200 crore in the budget. Under this prestigious project, a grand 125-foot-tall statue of Dr. Mookerjee will be constructed at his ancestral home in Jirat in Hooghly district. Along with the statue, his ancestral residence will be renovated and restored to its original heritage structure. The project will also include the development of a modern park, a well-equipped library, and a memorial museum dedicated to his life, achievements, and contribution to the nation.

Born in Kolkata on July 6, 1901, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was one of Bengal’s most prominent intellectuals and political figures. He served as independent India’s first Minister for Industry and Supply. Later, due to differences with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru over the Jammu and Kashmir policy, he resigned from the Union Cabinet and founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951. In 1953, while protesting against the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, he was arrested in Srinagar, where he died in custody under controversial circumstances.

The new government’s decision carries significant political and ideological importance. The BJP has long alleged that previous Trinamool Congress and Left Front governments neglected the contributions and legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, whom the party considers one of the key architects of modern Bengal. With the declaration of a state holiday on July 6 and the ₹200 crore heritage and memorial project in its very first full budget, the Suvendu Adhikari government has sought to give a new recognition to his legacy and mark the beginning of a new political chapter in the state.

The announcement has generated considerable discussion in political and cultural circles, as the government’s ambitious plan to celebrate Dr. Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary is expected to become one of the most significant cultural initiatives undertaken by the new administration in West Bengal.