Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s nephew and Former Justice Chittatosh Mukherjee has hailed the decision to scrap Article 370 ending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Syama Prasad Mukherjee founder of Jana Sangh was a strident opponent of Article 370 and even gave his life protesting against this provision in the Constitution.

Hours after the Union Government scrapped Articles 370 and 35A the Retired Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Chittotosh Mukherjee has congratulated the Centre for abrogating Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution that provided special status to the State of Jammu & Kashmir. In this regard he expressed his ‘full support’ for the Centre’s ‘bold step which was long overdue.’ He also told, how his ‘uncle had fought for the abrogation of Article 370’ which stood in the way of unification of India.

Chittatosh Mukherjee went on to express his satisfaction, ‘I am happy. After more than 70 years of our Independence this great task has been achieved and my uncle’s dream has come true.’ The nonagenarian said even as the BJP leaders of Bengal took pride in how Dr Mukherjee, the former Calcutta South, MP had given a call for ‘ek pradhan, ek bidhan, ek nishan (one chief, one law, one emblem).’ 

The former Minister for Industry and Supply of Nehru Cabinet Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was among the first to question the special status for Kashmir wondering why a constituent State would be allowed a status unlike the other States. He subsequently had died in the custody of Abdulla led government of J&K in 23 June 1953. Mysterious conditions suspected primary reason was heart attack.  But opposition alleged Nehru & J&K police for the conspiracy.