Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. File
| Photo Credit: @Bhupendrapbjp/X via PTI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for a 125-foot statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, in Kolkata on Monday. The statue will come up in the New Town area.
Later, addressing a programme commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Mookerjee, Mr. Shah said, “Today, on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary, the foundation stone for his 125-foot-tall statue was laid in West Bengal, a tribute to his enduring legacy”.
He expressed satisfaction that there was a BJP government in West Bengal. He also referred to the abrogation of Article 370. “Today PM Modi fulfilled his pledge by abrogating Article 370; today, Kashmir is an integral part of India,” he said.
Mr. Shah said the Suvendu Adhikari government in West Bengal had lost no time in implementing promises made by the BJP, including implementation of the Annapurna Yojana, giving land to the BSF, and free travel for women in government buses. “We are fulfilling the promises we made in our Sankalp Patra during the elections,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the event through a video message and described Syama Prasad Mookerjee as a visionary, patriot, and champion of national unity. “Today, the nation and West Bengal are remembering a great son of the soil, a great patriot who was dedicated to the integrity of India,” Mr. Modi said.
Published – July 07, 2026 03:32 am IST
