Srinagar, Dec 4 (GNS): National Conference on Friday said that its founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah held Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution as a “free and dignified bond of association with secular India.”
On August 5 last year, the BJP-led government effectively abrogated the Articles which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the constitution of India. The decisions of August 5 are under challenge before the Supreme Court of India.
Paying glowing tributes to Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on his 115th birth anniversary, the National Conference called him the founding father of political awakening and social transformation in J&K.
“In Sheikh Sahib’s legacy we find answers to many current challenges that we are faced with today, including a challenge to our identity and unique political status. The best tribute to him at this juncture would be to imbibe ourselves with the same indomitable courage which he exhibited all his life. There is a lot which we can emulate from his life and struggle to help us triumph over the problems which have benighted the dawn which he had ushered in by making the people of Jammu and Kashmir masters of their own destiny and their own land. He not only ushered in an era of development and social justice in the state post independence but also guided the people with the emancipatory, secular, and progressive ideologies. He illumined the masses about the power of democracy and humanism,” the party leaders said in a statement.
“One of the colossus of freedom struggle in the sub-continent, he has left a deep imprint on the annals of history as a redeemer and a savior of a wretched lot, whose self esteem had been destroyed by the centuries of despotic and autocratic rule. Even Mahatma Gandhi saw a ray of hope in his efforts and prayed that Kashmir under Sheikh Sahib should become a beacon light to the benighted subcontinent. He was undeniably a brightest star of the state and of the country. A magnetic personality, he always held Articles 370, 35-A as a free and dignified bond of association with secular India. He will continue to remain the unchallenged national hero of Jammu and Kashmir. No power on earth can brush off his contribution; his persona, on account of his unflinching faith in Allah, is way too strong to be obliterated by the fanatic, chauvinist and communal elements,” the leaders said.
Among others Party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Senior leaders Abdul Rahim Rather, Muhammad Shafi Uri, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Mubarak Gul, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzaan, Sakina Itoo, Nazir Khan Gurezi, GA Shah, Sharief Ud Din Shariq, Women’s wing President Shameema Firdous; Party Treasurer Shammi Oberoi, Zonal presidents MP Muhammad Akbar Lone, Ali Muhammad Dar, Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri; MP Hasnain Masoodi, Irfan Ahmed Shah; Mir Saifullah, Aga Syed Mehmood, Syed Tauqeer, Provincial Secretary Showkat Ahmed Mir, District Presidents Peer Afaq, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, Altaf Kaloo, Abdul Majeed Larmi, Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar, Gh Mohiudin Mir, GR Naaz, Abdul Ahad Dar, Javed Dar, Political Advisor to President Mushtaq Guroo, Political Advisor to Vice President Tanvir Sadiq, Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, YNC Provincial President Salman Ali Sagar, Women’s wing Provincial President Er. Sabiya Qadri; Additional Spokesperson Sarah Hayat Shah; Minority Wing Organizer J S Azad; Vice Chairman Legal cell Shabir Ahmed; Provincial functionaries, and office bearers functionaries have also paid glowing tributes to Sher-e-Kashmir on his 115th birth anniversary.
The main function will be held at Mazar-e –Qaid at Naseem Bagh, similar commemorative functions will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan Jammu and in Kargil, Pir Panjal, and Chenab regions as well, where party functionaries would pay glowing floral tributes to Sher-e-Kashmir. The Fateh ceremony at Naseem Bagh will also be marked by the kick-starting of Party’s Membership drive 2020-21 by the Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah. A Majlis of Quran Khawani will also be held on the occasion at the reading room, Qaid Mazar, Naseem Bagh. (GNS)
