Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, State Assembly Speaker Ganpat Vasava, all Ministers, several MPs, MLAs and office-bearers of the BJP today paid rich homage to Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee on his 110th birth anniversary. They offered floral tributes at the leader’s oil painting in the podium of the Assembly building here.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Modi described Dr. Mukherjee as the first martyr of Independent India who sacrificed his life for the cause of national unity and integration. It was he who fought against the permit system for entry into Kashmir, and broke the ‘Black Act’ and entered the Valley but died in mysterious circumstances.

Mr Modi said it was Dr Mukherjee who had fought for the given to the nation the slogan: “Do Vidhan, Do Nishan, Do Pratha Nahi Chalegi’. The famous leader will remain an inspiration for generations to come to uphold the national integrity.