Archive · 16 Sep 2026
West Bengal to Add Mookerjee’s Legacy to All Syllabi
The Bengal government wants students to learn about Syama Prasad Mookerjee in schools and universities.
Mookerjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political group that came before the BJP.
Officials also want the National Library to collect books and documents about him.
These materials would help students and researchers study his life.
Schools and colleges may hold programmes about his work and legacy.
The government is also considering statues or busts of him on academic campuses.
It may explore creating academic chairs in his name in Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Supporters see this as a way to honor an important political figure.
Critic Maidul Islam says the government is focusing too much on cultural issues instead of jobs, the economy, health care and infrastructure.
The Bengal government will include Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s life, contributions and legacy in school, college and university curricula.
The National Library has been asked to collect books, documents and other materials related to Mookerjee for a research repository.
The government plans educational, cultural and academic outreach programmes to familiarize students with Mookerjee’s legacy.
Authorities may explore academic chairs named after Mookerjee in institutions in Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Political scientist Maidul Islam criticized the emphasis on cultural initiatives, saying economic and public-service issues should receive greater attention.
- Who
- The Bengal government, education officials, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and political scientist Maidul Islam.
- What
- Mookerjee’s life, contributions and legacy will be added to curricula from schools through universities, alongside archival and commemorative initiatives.
- When
- The higher education department issued the notice on September 15, following calls made in early July.
- Where
- Schools, colleges and universities in Bengal; possible academic chairs are being explored in Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Myanmar.
- Why
- The government says the measures will familiarize younger generations with Mookerjee and preserve resources for students, researchers and future generations; critics view the initiative as political-cultural prioritization.
Government and Supporters
Critics
Curriculum inclusion
Government and Supporters
The government says teaching Mookerjee’s life, contributions and legacy will acquaint younger generations with an important political figure.
Critics
Critics characterize the move as an effort by the BJP government to establish Mookerjee as a political and cultural icon in Bengal.
Policy priorities
Government and Supporters
Officials are pursuing educational outreach, archival preservation and campus commemorations connected with Mookerjee.
Critics
Political scientist Maidul Islam said cultural issues and promotion of BJP-linked icons had taken precedence over economic development, employment, health care, education and infrastructure.
- Curriculum scope
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Archival institution
- National Library
- Additional records
- The government may seek relevant speeches, debates and documents from Parliament’s records.
- Outreach
- Educational, cultural and academic programmes involving teachers, students and academic professionals are planned.
- Commemorations
- Busts, statues or other representations may be established on academic campuses.
- Possible international initiative
- Academic chairs named after Mookerjee may be explored in Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Myanmar.
- Political criticism
- Maidul Islam said cultural initiatives were receiving emphasis over the economy, employment, health care, education and infrastructure.