BJP leader Tarun Chugh. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The BJP on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) observed ‘Balidan Diwas’ in Srinagar to commemorate the death anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who died in a Jammu and Kashmir jail in 1953 and called for “an independent investigation into his death”.
“The successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir failed to explain the circumstances under which Mookerjee was arrested and died in custody in 1953. Under which law was Mookerjee detained? An independent investigation into his death was never conducted. All facts related to the case will have to be made public. Who was responsible for his death?” asked BJP national general secretary and member of Parliament Tarun Chugh.
Mr. Chugh, who was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma and member of Parliament Anirban Ganguly, made the statement during a commemoration day at the Tagore Hall in Srinagar. The BJP leader paid tributes to the sacrifices and vision of Mookerjee and highlighted his “enduring legacy in strengthening national unity”.
“Mookerjee fought for the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India. The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A on August 5, 2019 completed the process of integration and fulfilled Mookerjee’s vision,” said Mr. Chugh.
He asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to “clarify why information related to the case had not been placed before the public”. “The BJP would continue to seek answers regarding the matter,” Mr. Chugh added.
On the tribal invasion of 1947, the BJP leader said Jammu and Kashmir witnessed massacres for several days. “Thousands of residents, including Hindus, Kashmiri Pandits and Christians, were killed. Women were subjected to atrocities. The previous governments have failed to adequately document and publicise details of the events,” he added.
Demanding release of archival records, Mr. Chugh said the country should publicise the events related to the 1947 invasion of Jammu and Kashmir.
Published – June 23, 2026 11:23 pm IST
