S.P. Mukherjee: Forgotten architect of modern Bharat

Despite his contributions, Mukherjee's legacy was systematically downplayed in the post-Independence narrative dominated by the Congress.

- SANTISHREE DHULIPUDI PANDIT

In one country, two constitutions, two heads, and two flags will not work...

Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh—ideological predecessor of today's Bharatiya Janata Party—is remembered as a staunch nationalist, a visionary political leader, and an educationist committed to India's sovereignty and progress. He died under very suspicious circumstances in jail, martyred defending and upholding the Constitution of India against those undermining it. PM Modi on 15 August paid glowing tributes to Dr. S.P. Mukherjee in his 125th birth anniversary year, calling him a first Mahapurush who sacrificed his life upholding the Indian Constitution. He added that the removal of Article 370 and bringing back the reality of "One Nation, One Constitution" was in a way paying tribute to the memory of this great martyr and nationalist.

The history of Bharat is vast and layered. Its greatness did not arrive in a single stroke of independence, but through years of sacrifice, toil, and the vision of multiple leaders.

Mukherjee was one of them: a builder of institutions, a defender of Bhartiya identity, and a guardian of national unity. However, his obvious omission from history is a significant gap in our understanding of our own past. And until such figures find their rightful place in both public and political discourse, Indian history will remain a selective arc, written about a few, for the benefit of a few. Seventy-two years after his untimely death, Mukherjee's legacy needs revisiting, not out of nostalgia, but because the dilemmas he confronted on identity, unity, dissent, and governance—all of which continue to confront Bharat in new forms in contemporary times.

MAKING OF A NATIONALIST INTELLECTUAL