PM Narendra Modi Touches the Feet of 98-Year-Old BJP Veteran Makhan Lal Sarkar in Bengal: Who Is He?
The political atmosphere in West Bengal witnessed a historic and emotional moment when Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly showed deep respect to 98-year-old BJP veteran Makhan Lal Sarkar during the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata. The rare gesture immediately captured national attention and became one of the most talked-about moments in Indian politics.
As thousands watched the ceremony, PM Modi walked toward the elderly leader, warmly hugged him, and touched his feet as a mark of respect. The emotional scene reflected the Prime Minister’s admiration for a man who dedicated almost his entire life to nationalist politics and the growth of the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal.
The moment was not just symbolic. It represented the BJP’s acknowledgment of its early grassroots workers who struggled for decades when the party had little political presence in Bengal.
A Historic Moment in Kolkata
The swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata was already politically significant, but the interaction between Narendra Modi and Makhan Lal Sarkar added an emotional and historical dimension to the event.
Soon after the ceremony, PM Modi shared a message on social media platform X, where he spoke about Makhan Lal Sarkar’s contribution to the nationalist movement and the BJP.
According to PM Modi, Sarkar worked closely with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and even accompanied him during the historic Kashmir movement. Modi described him as a “devout nationalist” who spent his life strengthening the BJP in West Bengal.
The Prime Minister also said that the BJP takes pride in leaders like Sarkar, who silently worked among ordinary people and built the organization from the ground level during difficult times.
The interaction quickly went viral across social media platforms, with many people praising the Prime Minister for honoring a veteran political worker instead of focusing only on high-profile leaders.
Who Is Makhan Lal Sarkar?
Makhan Lal Sarkar is one of the oldest and most respected BJP leaders in West Bengal. Born before India’s independence, Sarkar witnessed some of the most transformative moments in modern Indian history.
He is known as one of the early grassroots leaders associated with nationalist politics in post-Independence India. Despite his age, he continues to inspire BJP workers and supporters across Bengal.
Makhan Lal Sarkar played a major role in expanding the BJP’s organizational structure in northern parts of West Bengal, especially in districts like Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and West Dinajpur.
He was also the first BJP district president of the Siliguri organizational district, a major achievement during a period when the BJP had very limited influence in Bengal politics.
Political observers often describe him as a “silent architect” of the BJP’s rise in the region because of his dedication and organizational work at the grassroots level.
Connection With Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee
One of the most important chapters in Makhan Lal Sarkar’s life was his association with Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which later evolved into the BJP.
During the early 1950s, Dr. Mookerjee launched a major movement against the special permit system in Jammu and Kashmir. At that time, Indian citizens required special permission to enter the state.
Dr. Mookerjee strongly opposed this arrangement and raised the famous slogan:
“One country cannot have two constitutions, two flags, and two prime ministers.”
Makhan Lal Sarkar accompanied Dr. Mookerjee during this historic Kashmir movement. In 1952, Sarkar was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir while participating in the movement to hoist the Indian national flag there.
This episode became one of the defining moments of his political journey.
The movement later gained enormous historical significance because Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee died under controversial circumstances after being arrested in Kashmir in 1953.
For BJP workers and nationalist supporters, those who participated in the movement are remembered with great respect, and Makhan Lal Sarkar remains one of the surviving witnesses of that era.
Arrested for Singing a Patriotic Song
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya shared another interesting story about Makhan Lal Sarkar that highlights his fearless personality.
According to Bhattacharya, Sarkar was once arrested by Delhi Police during the Congress government for singing a patriotic song.
After his arrest, he was produced before a judge and asked to apologize. However, Sarkar refused to do so because he believed he had committed no crime.
When the judge asked him what song he had sung, Sarkar reportedly sang the patriotic song once again inside the courtroom.
The story took a surprising turn when the judge, impressed by Sarkar’s courage and patriotism, instructed the police to provide him with a first-class train ticket to return home and also give him Rs 100 for travel expenses.
The incident is often narrated by BJP leaders as an example of Sarkar’s dedication to nationalism and freedom of expression.
Early Days of BJP in West Bengal
Today, the BJP is one of the strongest political parties in West Bengal, but the situation was very different during the 1980s and 1990s.
At that time, the party had minimal organizational strength in the state. Leaders like Makhan Lal Sarkar worked tirelessly in villages, towns, and remote areas to build the party network.
After the formation of the BJP in 1980, Sarkar became the organizational coordinator for several districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and West Dinajpur.
His contribution during this period was remarkable.
Within just one year, he reportedly helped enroll nearly 10,000 party members. This was considered a huge achievement because the BJP had limited resources and little political influence in Bengal at the time.
From 1981 onward, Sarkar served continuously for seven years as district president. This itself was extraordinary because BJP organizational norms usually did not allow leaders to remain in the same position for such a long period.
His leadership and organizational abilities helped create the foundation upon which the BJP later expanded in northern Bengal.
Why PM Modi’s Gesture Matters
In Indian culture, touching the feet of elders is considered one of the highest forms of respect. When a sitting Prime Minister publicly touches someone’s feet, the gesture carries deep cultural and political meaning.
PM Modi’s interaction with Makhan Lal Sarkar was not merely ceremonial. It conveyed several important messages.
First, it highlighted the BJP’s attempt to honor its old-generation workers who dedicated their lives to the organization before it became a major political force.
Second, it reflected the party’s emphasis on ideological commitment and sacrifice.
Third, the gesture reinforced the emotional connection between the BJP’s current leadership and its historical roots linked to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the Jana Sangh movement.
Many BJP supporters described the moment as a tribute to thousands of unnamed party workers who struggled for decades without seeking fame or power.
Social Media Reactions
The photographs and videos of PM Modi touching Makhan Lal Sarkar’s feet quickly spread across social media.
Many users praised the Prime Minister for showing humility and respect toward senior party workers.
Several BJP leaders also shared posts highlighting Sarkar’s contributions to the nationalist movement and the growth of the BJP in West Bengal.
Political analysts noted that the moment carried strong emotional value because it connected the BJP’s present success with its difficult past.
Supporters described Sarkar as a “living chapter of political history,” while many younger BJP workers said they felt inspired after learning about his sacrifices and dedication.
BJP’s Rise in Bengal
For decades, West Bengal politics was dominated by the Left Front and later by the Trinamool Congress. The BJP remained a relatively small force in the state for many years.
However, over the last decade, the BJP has significantly expanded its voter base and organizational structure in Bengal.
Leaders like Makhan Lal Sarkar are often credited for laying the early groundwork that allowed the party to eventually emerge as a major political force.
His efforts in organizing party workers, recruiting members, and promoting nationalist ideology helped build a strong base in northern Bengal regions.
Political experts believe that without the contribution of early leaders like Sarkar, the BJP’s later electoral growth in the state would have been much more difficult.
The Legacy of Makhan Lal Sarkar
At 98 years old, Makhan Lal Sarkar represents an era of politics driven more by ideology, grassroots activism, and personal sacrifice than by social media popularity or electoral strategy.
His political journey spans several decades and includes major historical events such as:
- The post-Independence nationalist movements
- The Kashmir agitation led by Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee
- The formation and early expansion of the BJP
- The rise of nationalist politics in West Bengal
Despite spending decades in public life, Sarkar remained largely away from the spotlight. Unlike modern politicians who frequently dominate television debates and social media platforms, he worked quietly at the organizational level.
This is one of the reasons why PM Modi’s public gesture gained so much attention. It brought national recognition to a veteran leader whose contribution was known mainly within political circles.
Symbolism Behind the Event
Political symbolism plays an important role in Indian democracy, and this moment carried multiple layers of symbolism.
By honoring Makhan Lal Sarkar, PM Modi also indirectly honored the legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, whose ideology continues to influence the BJP.
The event also highlighted the party’s focus on discipline, loyalty, and long-term commitment.
For younger political workers, the message was clear: dedication to ideology and grassroots work will always be respected within the organization.
The moment also created a strong emotional connection among BJP supporters in Bengal, many of whom view the rise of the BJP in the state as the result of decades of struggle by veteran workers.
Public Response in Bengal
The incident generated strong reactions not only within BJP circles but also among ordinary citizens in Bengal.
Many people appreciated the emotional and cultural significance of the gesture. Videos of the interaction were widely shared on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X.
Several social media users commented that modern politics rarely recognizes grassroots workers, making the moment feel genuine and refreshing.
Others said the scene reminded people that behind every major political movement are countless workers who spend decades building organizations without expecting personal rewards.
Even political opponents acknowledged that the moment carried emotional weight and reflected India’s tradition of respecting elders.
A Reminder of Political History
The story of Makhan Lal Sarkar also serves as a reminder of an important phase in Indian political history.
The generation to which Sarkar belongs experienced:
- India’s transition after Independence
- The early ideological battles of the Republic
- The Kashmir integration movement
- The evolution of the Jana Sangh into the BJP
- The gradual expansion of nationalist politics across India
As one of the few surviving participants of those historical movements, Sarkar represents a living connection between India’s political past and present.
For younger generations, his story offers insight into how political organizations were built long before digital campaigns and modern election strategies existed.
Conclusion
The emotional moment between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and veteran BJP leader Makhan Lal Sarkar during the Kolkata swearing-in ceremony became far more than a simple political interaction.
It transformed into a powerful symbol of respect, ideology, sacrifice, and political legacy.
At 98 years old, Makhan Lal Sarkar stands as one of the last surviving representatives of an earlier generation of nationalist leaders who dedicated their lives to organizational work and ideological movements.
From accompanying Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee during the Kashmir agitation to strengthening the BJP in northern Bengal, Sarkar’s journey reflects decades of commitment and perseverance.
PM Modi’s decision to publicly hug him and touch his feet highlighted the importance of honoring those who laid the foundation for the party’s present success.
In today’s fast-changing political world, where attention often focuses only on high-profile leaders and election campaigns, the recognition of a grassroots veteran like Makhan Lal Sarkar reminded people that history is built not only by famous personalities but also by silent workers who dedicate their entire lives to a cause.
The moment will likely remain one of the most memorable political images from West Bengal in recent years — a scene where the Prime Minister of India paused amid political celebrations to honor a man whose life story is deeply connected with the roots of nationalist politics in modern India.
Author: Global Suddi Team
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