Looking on are (from left) H.V.Hande, former Health Minister,Government of Tamil Nadu, R.N.Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu and P.Kanagasabapathi, Secretary & Trustee, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation.
| Photo Credit: RAGHUNATHAN SR
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Friday said the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was a correction of a historic blunder. Speaking at the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Syama Prasad Mookerjee (founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh) at Raj Bhavan, Mr. Ravi said the country, under British colonial rule, suffered severe economic, military and educational exploitation.
Mr. Ravi spoke in detail on how Syama Prasad Mookerjee had opposed granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir after Independence. “He was also instrumental in ensuring that at least a part of Bengal remained with India during Partition,” he said.
The Governor pointed to key events like the 1905 Bengal partition and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre as sparks that stirred nationwide resistance. He noted that leaders such as Tamil nationalist V.O. Chidambaram Pillai played an active role in these movements.
The Governor also said that Mookerjee became a martyr fighting for Kashmir and his dream was fulfilled in 2019. He also added that reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is the next step, which he said, will happen.
Earlier, he paid floral tributes to Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s decorated portrait. H.V. Hande, former Tamil Nadu health minister, and P. Kanagasabapathi, secretary and trustee of the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, were among the participants.
Published – July 11, 2025 11:50 pm IST
