By Rishi Kumar Kaushal

During the 1952-53 Praja Parishad agitation for "Ek Vidhani" Ek Pradhan" and "Ek Nishan's". I was lodged in the female ward of the central jail, Srinagar. Others who were lodged in the female ward included Chaudhri Chaggar Singh, Mr Yash Bhasani, Mr Faquir Chand, Mr Gupta, Mr Gopal Sachhar, Mr Dina Nath Gandotra, Mr Megh Rai Bali and Kaka Manhas.

Exactly 49 years ago, on June 23, 1953, a Hindu employee of the jail revealed in a hush hush voice, "One of you top leaders has expired in the Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital". He was fearful enough to disclose their details. Can our President Conduct enquiries? He told that it was none else than, Dr Syama Prashad Mookerjee who died suddenly in mysterious circumstances. At that time, we were preparing lunch but we were not able to take it because of shock nor were we able to take our dinner that night. As the news trickled inside the main gate of jail hundreds of Satayagrahi lodged there started weeping and wailing. But the Jail Superintendent did not allow the in-mates of the female ward to join others. We were forced to organize a condolence meeting within the female ward. We paid our homage to the departed soul.

Same day, the mortal remains of Dr Smaya Prashad were sent by air from Srinagar to Kolkatta. At the Srinagar airport, the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah, the Revenue Minister Mirza Mohd, Afzal Beg, Bakshi Gulam Mohd. Jail Minister Shyam Lal Saraf as Deputy Minister for home Durga Prasad Dhar laid a farewell to the departed soul. Sheikh Abdullah laid a shawl on the body on behalf of State Government. Paradoxically, the Sheikh was adorning a red rose on his American coat.

Besides, workers from Srinagar including Mr Dina Nath Tikoo, Lal Thaploo Krishan Lal etc. Eminent social leader from Jammu. Mr Mohan Lal Motial, and dynamic Praja Parishad worker Mahasha Yash Pal were also present. Pt Prem Nath Dogra, Vaidya Guru Datt and Tek Chand accompanied Dr Mukherjee's dead body in the air craft. Strange enough, Pt. Prem Nath Dogra was dropped at Jalandhar. He was not allowed to accompany his dead body further to Dr Mookerjee's home town at Calcutta and expressed his grief personally to the grieved family. This was done under a well thought plan.

Dr Mookerjee death was condoled all over the country and outside. Extracts from some tributes are being reproduced as under. Cutting across the party lines, the Buddhist countries from South East Asia, Public leaders and rulers condoled his untimely demise. They paid rich tributes to this great soul, who devoted his entire life for the service of the motherland. The Lok Sabha also condoled the untimely and said demise of Dr Mookerjee. The Speaker Mr G V Mavlankar said, "He was a great patron who rented great service for the nation. He died in tragic circumstances but it was the will of Almighty, the God, no body can help? His ability his imminence, capacities to perform his duty, his smartness, patriotism and his love to the countrymen enabled them command our respect.

In his tributes, the Leader of the House and the Prime Minister Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru describes his death as extremely tragic and unfortunate. He described Dr Mookerjee as one of the great personalities of this August House and a leader of opposition who played a significant role in the proceedings of the House. Admitting his agreement and disagreement on many issues, Pt Nehru said, "Although, we worked together or we had difference over certain issues but we continued to respect each other. In spite of our differences we tried to perform our duties with mutual respect which should be there despite differences.

I had privilege to work with Dr Mookerjee and later when he joined the opposition we did have serious differences on certain issues and also agreement on many others. It is a maters of great regret for me that a juncture during his last day, we had developed serious differences. His death snatched away a talent who had rendered a great service to the nation. Because of his untimely demise we have been deprived of his services."

Dr Mookerjee was a great patron. As Educationist Parliamentarian, Politician, humanist and above all a symbol of national integration and solidarity, I offer my heartfelt tributes to Dr Mookerjee on his 49th anniversary. I prey to the God, almighty that it should give strength to the constituents of the 'Sang Parivar' to follow the footsteps of Dr Mookerjee.