Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Saturday paid tributes to party founder “Sher-e-Kashmir” Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 42nd death anniversary, calling him a “man of iron determination”.
The anniversary is being observed today, September 8 (Sunday), with a function held at his grave in Naseem Bagh, Hazratbal.
Party chief Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah led the party functionaries in offering tributes.
Referring to Sheikh Abdullah as a “father figure and political colossus, who helped change Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from a feudal and colonial society to a free, democratic, and secular one,” a statement released by the party said he was “An inspiring political stalwart.”
Party functionaries said that throughout his political career, Sher-e-Kashmir symbolised the aspirations of the Kashmiri people as no single individual could have ever dreamt of doing.
Although rooted in Kashmir, he had attained a national standing, with his name becoming synonymous in the minds of countrymen with socialism,
humanism, pluralism, and democracy, read the statement.
"His political direction to the state in the shape of the Naya Kashmir Manifesto had an imprint of a socialistic stamp that guaranteed freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and meetings.”
The NC added that “Sheikh Sahib was not any different. He also exhibited the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and camaraderie towards all sects and creeds. As a mass movement organiser, Abdullah’s struggle was never aimed at alleviating the suffering of particular followers of a faith,” it said.
“He gave a new lease of life to the fear-paralysed people of all the regions of J&K. The first cabinet he headed was insightful of his secular temperament. People like GL Dogra, Sardar Budh Singh, Kushak Bakula, and DP Dhar were given important portfolios in the cabinet he headed,” it added.
He led the freedom movement of Kashmir against the then Dogra rulers. Additionally, he is considered the key figure in J&K's accession to India due to constant attacks by Pakistani invaders after the India-Pakistan partition in 1947.
Sheikh Abdullah favoured India over Pakistan for its democratic setup rather than Pakistan’s theocratic order.
It is important to mention that the Sheikh, a close friend of Pandit Jawaharlal Lal Nehru, was at first reluctant to let J&K accede to India. But later, after negotiations with the Sheikh, J&K then became part of India on October 26, 1947.
Sheikh Abdullah remains a controversial figure in J&K’s political history, where some view him as the leader, and others see him as someone who was hungry for power.
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