Srinagar, Dec 04: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) on Wednesday paid tributes to J&K’s “legendary” leader ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’ Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 119th birth anniversary, hailing him as a man of unwavering determination and strength.
All party leaders, functionaries and workers gathered to pay homage to the legendary Sheikh Abdullah, describing him as a “father figure and political giant who transformed Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from a feudal and colonial society into a free, democratic, and secular one”.
The party in a statement issued here said, “An inspirational political stalwart, ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’ was praised for embodying the hopes and dreams of the Kashmiri people like no other. Despite his roots in Kashmir, he rose to national prominence, with his name becoming synonymous with socialism, humanism, pluralism and democracy in the minds of all Indians.”
The party leaders highlighted Sheikh Abdullah’s visionary ‘Naya Kashmir’ manifesto, which, they said, bore a distinctively socialist imprint, guaranteeing freedoms of the press, assembly and meetings. “His vision aimed to ensure a decent standard of living for all residents of the state, regardless of their background, by advocating for the abolition of landlordism, land redistribution to farmers and public control over state resources,” they said.
To honour the legacy of Sheikh Abdullah, the functionaries vowed to uphold his ideals and continue working towards a more just and equitable society for all. “Sheikh Abdullah’s influence and impact on the region were truly unparalleled, leaving an indelible mark on the history and future of Jammu and Kashmir. The spirit of secularism and tolerance possessed by Sheikh Sahib was the cumulative effect of the environment which generation after generation has fine-tuned the psyche of Kashmiris,” they said.
“Sheikh Sahib was not any different. He also exhibited the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and camaraderie towards all sects and creeds. A mass movement organiser, Sheikh Sahib’s struggle was never aimed to alleviate the suffering of particular followers of a faith,” the leaders said, adding, “He worked tirelessly and suffered incarcerations throughout for the total redemption of the people in Jammu and Kashmir from abject poverty. 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.”
Sadiq inspects arrangements for Sheikh Abdullah’s 119th birth anniversary
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) chief spokesperson and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq on Wednesday visited Qaid Mazar at Naseem Bagh Hazratbal to conduct an on-site inspection of the arrangements for the upcoming 119th birth anniversary observance of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.
Accompanied by party unit functionaries, he paid his respects at the gravesites of Madar-e-Meharban and Sher-e-Kashmir. Sadiq reviewed the preparations made for the commemorative event honouring the 119th birth anniversary of Sher-e-Kashmir, the party said in a statement issued here. He commended the dedication and hard work of the party functionaries and workers.
Later, MLA Zadibal visited the residence of the late Mufti Ejaz at Ilahi Bagh in Srinagar to offer his condolences to the late Mufti’s young son, Mufti Haider Ahmad Farooqi, and to Mufti Azam, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam. He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the Mufti family and their relatives patience, and also prayed for Jannat-ul-Firdous for the departed soul. Tanvir expressed his deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.
Later in the day, Sadiq embarked on a tour of the Zadibal constituency, engaging with the locals and making brief stopovers at various locations. The residents raised several pressing issues, to which Tanvir promised swift resolution.
