Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was the first person to resign from the Central Cabinet of independent India. He served as a Union Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s government before resigning in 1950 over disagreements with the government’s policies, particularly regarding Kashmir.

Birth: Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was born on July 6, 1901, in Kolkata (then Calcutta), West Bengal, India, into a prominent Bengali family.

Education: He was an exceptional scholar and completed his M.A. in English Literature and LL.B. from Calcutta University. Mukherjee later went to Cambridge University for further studies and became a well-known figure for his academic achievements.

Mukherjee was one of the founding members of the Hindu Mahasabha, and later the founder of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) predecessor, the Janata Party.

He was a prominent politician, known for his staunch nationalism and his commitment to Hindu unity.

Context of Resignation: In 1950, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was serving as a Minister for Industry and Supply in Jawaharlal Nehru’s Cabinet. However, he resigned from his position due to differences with the Nehru government over several important issues, most notably the policies related to Kashmir.

Kashmir Issue: Mukherjee was a vocal critic of the special autonomy granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. He believed that this autonomy undermined the unity of India and created divisions in the country. He strongly advocated for integrating Kashmir fully into the Indian Union without any special provisions.

Opposition to the Kashmir Policy: Mukherjee opposed the permit system that was in place for non-Kashmiris to enter the state. This system required non-Kashmiris to obtain a permit to visit or settle in Kashmir, which Mukherjee saw as a barrier to national integration.

Resignation: In 1950, frustrated by the government’s stance on these issues, Mukherjee resigned from the Cabinet, marking him as the first person to do so after India’s independence. His resignation was a significant moment in Indian politics as it signaled the beginning of his divergence from Nehru’s policies.

Formation of the Janata Party: After resigning, Mukherjee became a more prominent figure in opposing Nehru’s government and policies. He became the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the precursor to the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), which later became one of the most influential political parties in India.

Contribution to Kashmir Integration: Mukherjee’s resignation from the Cabinet marked the start of his intense activism for the complete integration of Kashmir into India. His Kashmir movement culminated in his famous slogan: “Ek desh mein do vidhan, do pradhan, do nishan nahi chalenge” (There will be no place for two constitutions, two prime ministers, and two flags in one nation). This ideology was central to the BJP’s stance on Kashmir in later years.

Death and Legacy: Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee died under mysterious circumstances on June 23, 1953, while in detention in Kashmir. His death remains a subject of controversy, with many alleging foul play.

Mukherjee’s resignation marked a defining moment in his life, setting the stage for his future political career. His opposition to the Congress-led government and its policies laid the foundation for the right-wing political ideology that would later be espoused by the BJP.

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee is remembered as a staunch nationalist who prioritized national integration and unity. His efforts to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir into India, his opposition to the special status of the state, and his role in shaping the ideology of the BJP have left a lasting imprint on India’s political landscape.

Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was the first person to resign from the Central Cabinet of independent India in 1950. His resignation was a protest against the Nehru government’s policies, especially its handling of the Kashmir issue and the special autonomy granted to the state. Mukherjee’s political journey after this resignation established him as one of the key figures in India’s right-wing politics, and he is remembered for his advocacy of national integration and his critical stance on Kashmir’s special status.