BJP to turn historic Kolkata office into Syama Prasad Mookerjee museum
Synopsis
The BJP is converting its oldest Kolkata office — a building Syama Prasad Mookerjee rented in 1946 and where he ran the Bharatiya Jana Sangh — into a dedicated museum. The move, decided during Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary, is as much about preserving history as it is about planting a cultural flag in a state the party is still fighting to win.
Key Takeaways
The BJP will convert its office at 6 Muralidhar Sen Lane , north Kolkata, into a Syama Prasad Mookerjee museum .
The decision was taken during celebrations marking Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary .
The building was rented by Mookerjee in 1946 and became the Bharatiya Jana Sangh's Kolkata office after the party's founding in 1951 .
The museum will display Mookerjee's personal artefacts, rare photographs, archival documents, and books written about him.
State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya , Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari , and the party's central leadership are overseeing the project.
No inauguration date has been announced; the building currently serves the party's North Kolkata district unit .
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to convert its historic office at 6 Muralidhar Sen Lane in north Kolkata into a museum dedicated to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, showcasing his life, political legacy, and contributions to post-Independence India. The announcement was made on Wednesday, 8 July, during the period marking Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary celebrations.
What the Museum Will House
According to BJP state spokesperson Debjit Sarkar, the museum will display artefacts personally associated with Mookerjee, including his chair, books, and personal materials, alongside rare photographs and archival documents chronicling his political journey. Sarkar noted that the museum will also highlight lesser-known chapters of Mookerjee's life, featuring books written about him and information-rich historical records.
The premises hold deep organisational significance — Mookerjee rented the building in 1946, and it subsequently became the nerve centre of his political activities. After the Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded in 1951, the property served as its Kolkata office, a role it continued to play after the BJP was established in 1980.
Historical Significance of the Building
The Muralidhar Sen Lane building has been described by party leaders as an important witness to Bengal's political history. Several senior BJP leaders have visited the premises over the years, including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and veteran leader L.K. Advani.
Currently, the BJP's state headquarters operates from Salt Lake in Kolkata, while the old building serves as the organisational office for the party's North Kolkata district unit. The museum conversion will mark a shift in the building's function — from active party office to historical and educational centre.
Who Is Driving the Project
State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya confirmed that the decision was taken during the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Mookerjee. BJP spokesperson Sarkar added that the party's central leadership, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, and the state unit are collectively working on the project.
Party leaders said the initiative is aimed at familiarising younger generations with Mookerjee's role in championing an integrated India, his contribution to the reconstruction of West Bengal in the post-Independence era, and his association with the University of Calcutta in expanding higher education access.
What Comes Next
No inauguration date has been announced yet, but party leaders expressed hope that the museum would reinvigorate interest among veteran workers and serve as an enduring educational resource for visitors and students of Bengal's political history. The project signals the BJP's intent to deepen its cultural and historical roots in a state where it has faced stiff political headwinds.
Point of View
Not just election-cycle mobilisation.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Syama Prasad Mookerjee museum planned by the BJP in Kolkata?
The BJP plans to convert its historic office at 6 Muralidhar Sen Lane in north Kolkata into a museum dedicated to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee. It will display his personal artefacts, rare photographs, archival documents, and books, and is intended to serve as an educational and historical centre.
Why is the Muralidhar Sen Lane building historically significant?
Syama Prasad Mookerjee rented the building in 1946, and it became the centre of his political activities. After the Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded in 1951, it served as the party's Kolkata office, and continued in that role after the BJP was established in 1980. Leaders including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi, and L.K. Advani have visited the premises.
When was the decision to set up the museum taken?
The decision was announced on 8 July 2025, during the celebrations marking Syama Prasad Mookerjee's 125th birth anniversary. State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya confirmed the announcement.
Who is overseeing the Syama Prasad Mookerjee museum project?
The project is being developed by the BJP's central leadership, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, and the party's West Bengal state unit, according to BJP state spokesperson Debjit Sarkar.
What will the museum showcase about Syama Prasad Mookerjee?
The museum will highlight Mookerjee's contributions to India's integration, his role in the reconstruction of West Bengal after Independence, and his association with the University of Calcutta. It will also feature lesser-known aspects of his life, rare photographs, archival material, and books written about him.
