Syama Prasad Mookerjee's Legacy to Be Taught in West Bengal Schools

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced that the contributions of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of Jana Sangh, will be included in the State’s school textbooks starting from the next academic year. This decision was made during the inaugural meeting of a special committee formed to commemorate Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary.

Dedicated Curriculum Section and Memorial Plans

Adhikari revealed that the Education Department will introduce a dedicated section on Mookerjee in school and university curricula. The initiative aims to educate students about his pivotal role in ensuring West Bengal remained a part of India during Partition.

In addition to curriculum changes, Adhikari announced plans to erect a statue of Mookerjee at Eco Park in Kolkata and establish a library at his ancestral home in Jeerat, Hooghly. These measures are part of broader efforts to honour Mookerjee’s legacy.

BJP’s Push to Highlight Mookerjee’s Legacy

Mookerjee is considered a key ideological figure for the BJP, and the party has been actively promoting his contributions since coming to power in West Bengal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in Mookerjee’s birth anniversary celebrations in Kolkata last year, underscoring the party’s commitment to preserving his memory.

Recently, controversies arose after a street in Rampurhat, Birbhum, originally named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, was renamed in Mookerjee’s honour—a move that sparked debates over historical recognition.

Why It Matters

The inclusion of Mookerjee’s contributions in school textbooks marks a significant shift in how West Bengal’s history is presented to future generations. It reflects the BJP-led government’s efforts to reshape the narrative around Partition and highlight figures central to its ideology.

The initiatives, including statues and libraries, further cement Mookerjee’s place in public memory, aligning with the BJP’s broader strategy to emphasize its historical and ideological roots.

Source: The Hindu