Nityanand Rai Targets Congress on Syama Prasad Mookerjee's Martyrdom Day, Says Partition Was Caused by Nehru's Stubbornness and Jinnah's Demands
Patna, Digital Desk: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) once again targeted the Congress and India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the martyrdom day of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, while speaking to journalists in Patna on Tuesday, held Congress's appeasement politics, Nehru's stubbornness, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah's demands responsible for the Partition of India. He said the tragic division of the country was the result of the policies and decisions of the then Congress leadership.
Addressing the media, Rai alleged that certain political decisions taken during and after the freedom movement pushed the nation toward Partition. He claimed that Congress adopted a policy of appeasement for political gains, which eventually led to the division of the country and caused immense suffering, displacement, and violence for millions of people.
Nityanand Rai said that Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a great nationalist leader who dedicated his life to preserving India's unity and integrity. According to him, Mookerjee consistently advocated for an undivided India and worked tirelessly to strengthen national unity. The minister stated that Dr. Mookerjee fought to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir remained an integral part of India and ultimately sacrificed his life in that struggle.
He highlighted Mookerjee's famous slogan, "One nation cannot have two constitutions, two prime ministers, and two flags," saying it continues to inspire citizens with the message of national unity and integrity. Rai added that Mookerjee's ideology and principles played a significant role in shaping Indian politics and strengthening nationalist sentiment.
The Union Minister further said that the special constitutional provisions in Jammu and Kashmir had encouraged separatism and political instability for decades. He asserted that the Narendra Modi-led government fulfilled Dr. Mookerjee's vision by abrogating Article 370 in 2019. According to him, the move was not merely a constitutional change but a historic step toward strengthening national integration.
Rai praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for demonstrating strong political will in implementing the decision. He said the abrogation of Article 370 was carried out after extensive parliamentary debate and has since paved the way for development and democratic progress in Jammu and Kashmir.
During his remarks, the minister also referred to the political history of West Bengal. He claimed that Dr. Mookerjee played a crucial role in protecting Bengal's interests during the Partition era. According to Rai, Mookerjee's efforts ensured that West Bengal remained part of India. He further alleged that without Mookerjee's intervention, the situation could have been very different for the region.
Nityanand Rai expressed gratitude to the people of West Bengal and said they have played an important role in strengthening nationalist ideology. He added that the BJP continues to expand its political and social influence in the state and is receiving increasing public support.
Continuing his attack on Congress, Rai alleged that even after Independence, several Congress policies posed challenges to India's unity and integrity. He accused the party of prioritizing vote-bank politics, while claiming that the BJP has always placed national interest above all else. He said the BJP's goal is to build a strong, self-reliant, and developed India.
BJP leaders and workers attending the event also paid tribute to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Discussions were held on his life, ideals, and contributions to nation-building. Speakers described him as an inspiration for young people and emphasized the continued relevance of his principles in contemporary India.
Party leaders stated that Dr. Mookerjee always placed national interest above personal gain or political ambition. They said this commitment to public service is why he continues to be remembered with respect and admiration across the country.
Political observers believe that the BJP's criticism of Congress and Nehru on Mookerjee's martyrdom day may also be part of a broader political strategy. With political activity intensifying in Bihar and several other states, such historical and ideological issues are likely to remain central to political discourse.
Congress leaders, however, have previously rejected such allegations, arguing that the Partition of India resulted from a complex combination of historical and political factors. The party has consistently maintained that its role and contribution to India's freedom struggle cannot be overlooked.
Nevertheless, the long-standing political debate between the BJP and Congress over historical narratives appears to have gained fresh momentum. Nityanand Rai's remarks on the occasion of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee's martyrdom day have added a new dimension to that debate, and further political reactions are expected in the coming days.
For now, the BJP is using the occasion to highlight nationalism, national unity, and the legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, while opposition parties prepare to respond to the allegations. As a result, the issue is likely to remain a subject of political discussion in the days ahead.