Bengal govt declares July 6 public holiday on Syama Prasad Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary

The West Bengal government has declared July 6, 2026, a public holiday across the state to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, according to a notification issued by the state Finance Department.

The holiday will be observed by government offices, educational institutions and other establishments covered under the state's holiday schedule.

The notification describes Mookerjee as 'one of the most illustrious sons' of West Bengal and states that the decision has been taken to honour his contribution to public life on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary.

The announcement formalises an earlier decision by the state government to commemorate his birth anniversary every year with an official holiday.

Mookerjee, born on July 6, 1901, was an educationist, barrister and politician. He served as the first Minister for Industry and Supply in independent India's first Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru before resigning in 1950.

In 1951, he founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He also served as the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta and played a prominent role in Bengal's politics during the final years of British rule.

The declaration comes amid year-long nationwide commemorations marking Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary, with the Union government having announced celebrations from July 2025 to July 2027.

The West Bengal government has also announced several initiatives to honour Mookerjee's legacy, including plans for a 125-foot statue in Kolkata and other commemorative programmes.

The holiday announcement follows a series of recent events highlighting his role in shaping the state's political history, particularly his advocacy during the Partition era for the creation of West Bengal within the Indian Union.

July 6 will now be included in the state's official list of public holidays, making it an annual observance dedicated to the memory and legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee.