Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today paid rich tribute to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which later evolved into BJP, at its party office here.BJP State President, Sat Sharma (CA), while paying rich tribute to the Jana Sangh founder member said that the great leader has sacrificed his life for the cause of the country. “His martyrdom is a reminder to the commitment to serve the country and its unity,” Sharma said.Terming him a visionary leader, Sharma said that at the age of 33, he became the world's youngest Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University and held the office till 1938. During his tenure, he introduced a number of constructive reforms and was active in Asiatic Society of Calcutta as well as was a member of the Court and the Council of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Chairman of the Inter-University of Board.Sharma also said that it was first in the history of Jammu and Kashmir that rich tribute was paid to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in the state Assembly.Expressing pleasure and gratitude to people of Kashmir, Sharma said the objective of the function was to reach out to the youth of Kashmir. “
Things have improved here and we have come with the message of peace for them,” he added. BJP Chief whip and MLA Rajesh Gupta also termed Mukherjee as a veteran politician, saying he was respected by his friends and foes alike for his knowledge and forthrightness.“India lost a great son at a very early stage of Independence,” Gupta added.Pertinently, Mukherjee died under mysterious circumstances in the Jammu and Kashmir. Present on the occasion were state Publicity Secretary Dr. Ali Mohd Mir, Ex- State vice Present G.M Mir, Dist. President Srinagar Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, District Vice Presidents Molvi Tariq , Dr.Farooq and Ashok Bhat, District Gen. Secretaries Arif Raja and Zubair Nazir, State Working Committee member Sheikh Bashir, office Incharge Kashmir Mohd Tahir Mir, dist. Media Secretary Srinagar Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Constituency Presidents Mohd Ashraf Reshi and Mohd Younis, State Vice President Youva Morcha Aijaz Hussain and others. (GNS)