23/06/2025
West Bengal to Kashmir: Journey of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee 6th July 1901 to 23rd June 1953
Shuvadeep Banerjee Chaudhuri
A person who wilfully offers his life for a benevolent cause which favours the majority, suits for the National Cause, is a Martyr. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee is one such hero, who wilfully gave his life for our Nation. The story of the last forty days of his life, in detention at Srinagar culminating in his martyrdom on 23rd July 1953, will go down in history as one of the most tragic and poignant episodes in the political life of free India. It was a sad commentary on democracy as it functioned in India under PM Nehru and on the character of men who masqueraded as democratic rulers of the country in the most formative period of her life as a free nation. He started off on his last journey to the state of Jammu and Kashmir on 8th of May 1953, on a peaceful mission on a path of peaceful “Stayagraha” as a true Nationalist Democrat, to protest against the parochialism of the founding fathers and Nation builders of India and create a Separate Country, within the Nationhood of Bharat, by measures of separate Constitution, one of its kind for the State of Jammu and Kashmir, with separate Premiership, full executive control with a weak Federal Governance, separate Flag and a permit to Entry. The Satyagraha Movement was continuing in the state of Jammu and Kashmir since 1952, under the domain and leadership of Sh. Prem Nath Dogra, and Praja Parishad, to protest against the bipartisan attitude and reperesionist acts of Seikh Abdullah, who was the Head of Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference first, which was supported by Majlis - I – Ahar Kashmir, a pure communal outfit. He then got that metamorphosed, into National Conference for his wider political interests and interface only. But to be precise, he represented a communal face of Muslims in Kashmir, disregarding other views and interests. His ambitions were to mitigate his own fulfilments, through any means. He even tried to get associated with Muslim League under, the leadership of Jinnah, but he saw his position to be subverted and his main intentions was to create and fathom disturbances and commotions under the flag of a communal bearer, with his own interests, even after appeasing Pakistani and to be precise Jinnah’s interests. This was the main reason, for raising chaos, mayhem and bedlam when Maharaja Sir Hari Singh was the Head of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, under the suzerainty of British India, during its pre accession and post accession era. Dr. Mookerjee, who studied and comprehended the matter, much more than others, much more ahead of his time than those people who were the founding fathers of this Nation and positioned himself as a true visionary in reading the problem from its very core. Six months, preceded to his last journey to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, he made his long array of his correspondences to PM Nehru and Seikh Abdullah and he reasoned with logic and cogent praphrasial, remarks set out on arguments based on rationality and facts, which stood out for National good and also for maintaining the interests of Jammu and Kashmir, without appeasing any communal interests. He made his strong case for taking care of all interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir leitmotif any communal interests. The State of Jammu and Kashmir has majority Hindus in the region of Jammu and Muslims in the vale of Kashmir and Buddhists in the region of Leh and Ladakh. Pakistan, a State created on the basis of theocracy and bigotry, always stood out as an epicentre of terrorism and communal hegemony, attacked the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the month of October 1947, through Howladars and Rajakars disguised as their soldiers and privates. Those men occupied the region of Gilghit, when the Head of British Corps of Gilghit surrendered meekly and the calculated move looks to be preplaced and pre planed. It should be noted that the State of Jammu and Kashmir, included, Jammu, Kashmir, which extended till the outer fringes of Sialkot and Rawalpindi. Pakistani Occupied Territory include Gilghit, Mujaffarabad - Domel and Skardu, Pirpanjal range which was very much part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the treaty and agreement signed between Maharaja Gulab Singh and British East India Company in 1846, wherein the state of Jammu and Kashmir, came under the kingship of Maharaja and set as a princely state, under the British Suzerainty. As per the agreement agreed by the founding fathers of partitioned India that they will abide by the rules of prudence and fair governance in their respective parts and also take care of entire community’s interests. In addition to it was also decided that other than 13 Provinces under Indian Domain, 576 princely and transval states, have their own option to be part of any country of their choice, or remain independent, another ploy of a charlatan to balkanize our India, ie Bharat, which our founding fathers miscued and bore. The state of Jammu and Kashmir, under the kingship of Maharaja Sir Hari Singh agreed to remain independent, but Jinnah had his Prying eyes on Kashmir in order to fulfil his miscued dream of Pakistan.
Dr. Shamaprasad Mookerjee, made his valiant attempts inside and outside the parliament during the year 1952 and tried to instill the true reasons for integrating the State of Jammu and Kashmir with the Nation called Bharat ie India. He also gave his audience to Praja Parishad, led by Sh. Prem Nath Dogra and other parties in the region of Jammu. He even extended his efforts to bring other parties in the National Scenario, like Hindu Mahasabha, Praja Socialist Party, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Forward Block (FB), and form a joint platform to raise against the parochial and hedonistic chasms of Nehru and Seikh Abdullah. His meetings were held not only in Jammu and Kashmir, but all over India. He always countered to the facts expressed by PM Nehru, that designs and movements by oppressed Dogras, Sikhs and Hindus of Jammu are communal in nature. This opinion was carried into him by Seikh Abdullah, who had his malafide intentions clear from the beginning, by arm twisting, the Indian Government for coming to his terms or else he may see his ways and greener pastures elsewhere if required have separate negotiations with Pakistan. This was even reported by the Indian Resident Controller in Kashmir. Seikh Abdullah came for series of Negotiations, with Nehru, and he managed to take chunk of b***y, in whichever manner he wanted. Post submission by Nehru, to put the entire State dispute between the two countries under the supervision of UNO, Seikh Abdullah, sent his representatives to UNO, thus openly flouted the domain of Foreign Policy comes within the portfolio of Federal Government. His minister of Revenue Mir Afzal Beigh, even openly flouted to have his protocol established on the Postal and Telegraphic control of the State, openly flouting the federal governance. Seikh asked for a Special Police Force and separate Armed Forces, wherein the Nation will put its resources, but the management, will be under the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
Dr. Mookerjee put up his logic with cogent and well placed arguments that people of J&K needs justice just like other citizens of rest of India, ie Bharat. He went to the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1952, with an open mind and met all interests and groups and give his justified parleys and audience. He was greeted with massive rallies and overwhelming response to his clarion call. He met Seikh Abdullah, heard him fully his opinion, even though, he was perilous is his approach and ways and he got pacified, with the intervention of his minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohamed. Reaching Delhi, forthwith, he met Nehru and appraised him of the entire situation. Six months, passed then, he went on with his protracted correspondences with Nehru and Seikh as a true believer of democratic principles and foundations, ie appeal and persuasion, first, then forming and driving public opinion next and putting across agitations and protests last. He launched a Nationwide campaign and stir with peaceful demonstrations and Hartals against “two Countries within one Nation, two separate constitutions, with One Nation, two separate flags under the domain of Nation, two premiers under one Nation and entry permits to enter Jammu and Kashmir.
The State of Jammu and Kashmir belonged to Hindus and it was a part of Hindu Kingdom, under King Dahir, and Rajtarangini by Kalhan had vividly described Kashmir as a land of Hindu pilgrimage and land of Gods and Goddesses. Old remains of such Gods and Goddesses are found in places like Anantanag, Bijbehara, Pandrattan, Sankaracharya, Pattan and Martand. It went into the hands of Muslim rulers and ultimately it was captured by Akbar, thus put under the Mughal rule. The place was also looted and captured by Ahmad Shah Abdali of Afghanistan in 1752, overtaking the feeble Mughal Governors, who were more or less independent of their kings. The Kingdom under the repository of Ahmad Shah Abdali was ruled by local governors, who were more or less independent of their Kings and Kingdoms. The Governors who represented their parents had their own say as they were the local chieftains. In 1819, the Kingdom was conquered by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and ultimately, it was restored as a Hindu kingdom. Though the kingship, was in the hands of Sikhs, but Governorship or the Local Leadership was in the hands of Rajputs and Dogras. Ranjit Deo, who was the governor of the Sikh Kingdom, functioned independently. His grandnephew Maharajah Gulab Singh and British East India Company entered into an agreement of suzerainty, in 1846, wherein the Kingdom or the State Remained under the Maharajah but under the fulfilment of conditions attached with the clauses of British Dominance. Maharajah Sir Hari Singh, his son acceded into the throne in 1925. During Independence, it was decided, that 576, transval princely states, have their independent choice to join to either parties of Partitioned India. State of Jammu and Kashmir, wished to remain independent, but Jinnah, wanting to carry out his unfulfilled dreams attacked with his team of looters comprising of Pakistani Soldiers in disguise and some were privates too. Maharajah Sir Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession on 26th Day of October 1947, when the looters were just 54 Kms from Srinagar. Indian Army under the leadership of Brig. LP Sen, fought valiantly and was about to seize the entire Kashmir within our hands and was about just 54 Kms from Domel, was asked to stop as the matter was put up with UNO, and ceasefire was declared along the line of control, with Pak Occupied Kashmir, much against the wishes of our Home Minister Sardar Patel. There were commands, from the British Commander Gen. Auchinlek, and Lord Mountbatten, last viceroy of India go to North South instead of East West to Domel and Skardu, thus dividing the State, with treachery and malafide intentions and our founding fathers remained silent and meek. Kashmir is an Indian part as it was acceded by the then Maharajah Sir Hari Singh and it was as per accordance with the 1947 Partition Agreement, but guilty men and players of Partition of India, again played a murkier role to create and fathom a deep rooted problem since the formative days of this great Country by creating a permanent dispute. Jammu and Kashmir, what we see in its present form today has been integrated with the Indian Union under Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir have a separate Constitution, invoked since 1956. Article 228, powers pertaining to High Courts and State Lists does not apply in the State of Jammu & Kashmir, which is applicable in other states. The Union of India, pays a huge subsidy to take care of the development of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is extra constitutional, per say Vis a Vis with respect to relationship with other states and Union.
Dr. Mookerjee set his foot forward for his last journey to Jammu & Kashmir on 8th of May 1953. He went till the borders of Jammu and Kashmir almost unhindered and he was given rapt attentions, wherever he spoke and roused with a Gregorian welcome wherever he had gone. Senior Leaders, including our Ex-Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, Sh. Vaidya Guru Datt, Prof. Balraj Madhok, and Sh. Tek Chand accompanied him in his last journey to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. There was rumour that he might be arrested in the State of Punjab, but he was given a free hand, from Pathankot, where he arrived via Jammu Mail. The Deputy Commissioner of Police informed, him that he will be arrested in Punjab while he was entrained He courted arrest in Ravi Bridge in Madhopur at 4 PM on 10th of May 1953. The reason was that he did not carry a valid entry permit and his presence may cause breakdown of law and order. So he was arrested under Detention under Prevention of any Public Safety Act. The act of arrests stood totally malafide and there was no intention on his part and others arrested to foment any protests. He was not arrested in Punjab, deliberately, so that he may be kept outside the purview of Indian Constitution. Vaidya Guru Datt and Sh. Tek Chand was arrested along with him. Sh. Prem Nath Dogra, who courted arrest on 19th of June 1953. The political prisoners along with Dr. Mookerjee, reached Udhampur, at 10 PM and he was pretty tired. He was a patient of Hyper Tension and had some Cardiac ailments. He was denied rest and ultimately carried to Batote in an uncomfortable Jeep Journey at 2 PM at night, which was on 11th of May 1953. He slept there and in the next day he was carried to Srinagar on the same day and he reached Srinagar Central Jail at 3 PM. After formalities he was taken to a small mountain cottage on the upper flanks of the mountains overseeing Dal Lake. His health started failing after arrival in this small cottage. The air was thin and rarefied, which acts as a detriment for patients suffering from cardiac ailments and hypertension. His Blood Pressure went up and he lost his appetite. His only exercise was a stroll across a small ground in front of the cottage, which was as small as that of a Tennis Court. He was not allowed to take a stroll in front of the cottage, that too under a police protection and guard, even it was assured by Inspector General of Police Col RN Chopra. The matter of his release was first pleaded by Sh. NC Chaterji, noted Bar – at – Law and Leader of Hindu Mahasabha, but his entry to the state was denied. Later on the case was handled by Sh. UM Trivedi, but that too, with much discordance and animosity and he was allowed to take an interview, at one on one basis, only under the Instruction of High Court of Srinagar. Earlier the matter was supposed to be done under the presence of District Magistrate, which was not accordance to the normal juris prudence and the rights of the accused person to defend. His health fell down badly on 18th of June 1953. Prior to that for couple of days he had fever and complained of chest pain. He was ultimately attended by Dr. Ali Mohamed on 20th of June and he administered Streptomycin as he diagnosed of dry flurosy, inspite of patient’s history of being allergic to it. His health detoriated, further on 21st of June and he was inspected and examined by the Jail doctor and even Dr. Ali was not asked to attend. He complained of severe Chest Pain and high fever. On 22nd of June at 4 AM he had a severe heart attack and his temperature went down to 97 Degree Farenheight and he was taken to a hospital without any ambulatory provisions, for 10 miles in a taxi and put under treatment in a Nursing Home under State Hospital. In the evening he felt better and looked cheerful and happy and had a lengthy interview with Sh. UM Trivedi after he completed his argument in the court. He was with him till 7.30 PM. Doctors in attendance said that the danger has passed and he will be fit enough within 3 days. At around at 3.45 AM Sh. Trivedi was picked up from his residence along with other co – detenues from the sub jail and taken to Hospital. After they reached there they were informed that Dr. Mookerjee breathed his last at 3.40 AM on 23rd of June 1953. He was given oxygen at 11 PM to allay restlessness and he was keeping good till 2 AM. His condition became grave at 2.30 AM and he died soon after, this was sourced from various communiques got from Staff Nurses and Doctors attending him. He was given a drug called Amelophylin, as said by Dr. Ali and it was given at a stage, when his Blood Pressure stood at 100, which might have aggravated his condition. There was also an anonymous drug which was administered by an On Duty Nurse, on an instruction from a doctor whose identity is not known till date, which caused severe pain and burning sensation in his body and he went stand still. The Bharat Kesari, the martyr was no more. Students of literature may have studied Shakespearean Tragedy, born out of circumstances churned out of emotions and relations. Was it a true representation of such a tragedy? Was it an act of cold blooded, well planned and perpetrated assasination which never got solved? His ailing and old mother Lady Jogomaya Devi, lived to see his son die and it was a gruesome shock for her to bear at that age.
He was denied the basic amenities as a political prisoner, should get and his incoming and outgoing letters were dispatched late. Letters written in Bengali arrived and got despatched late.
Dr. BC Roy, who was the first Chief Minister, of West Bengal, remained silent to the repeated requests and pleas of Dr. Mookeree’s brothers to take up the matter with PM Nehru. Dr. Mookerjee, contributed the most in creating the State of West Bengal from the clutches and evil designs of Shurawardy and Jinnah, supported by National Congress, in creating an United Bengal, and getting that merged with Pakistan later.
