National Conference (NC) leaders and workers on Sunday paid tribute to the party’s founder, “Sher-e-Kashmir” Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, on his 43rd death anniversary, hailing him as “a man of iron will and unwavering dedication to the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.”
A party spokesperson said a central commemorative event will be held at his mausoleum in Naseem Bagh, Hazratbal, beginning with Quran Khawani, floral tributes, and Fatiha Khawani. Party president Dr Farooq Abdullah, vice president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and senior party functionaries will lead the ceremony. Similar tributes are planned at Sher-i-Kashmir Bhawan in Jammu and other district headquarters across J&K and Ladakh.
Describing Sheikh Abdullah as a towering figure in the region’s history, the spokesperson said he “transformed Jammu and Kashmir from a feudal, colonial society into a progressive, democratic, and secular one.”
Party leaders referred to him as a “political colossus” and a “father figure whose legacy continues to shape the region’s aspirations.”
“An ardent champion of socialism and democracy, Sher-e-Kashmir’s vision was encapsulated in the ‘Naya Kashmir’ manifesto. This progressive charter promised freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the upliftment of the poor, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or region. His policies aimed to dismantle feudal structures through the abolition of landlordism and redistribution of land to the tillers,” they said.
The statement added, “Sheikh sahib’s inclusive politics and commitment to pluralism earned him respect far beyond Jammu and Kashmir. He symbolised the collective voice of the people, and his name became synonymous across India with humanism, secularism, and social justice.”
Highlighting the secular composition of Sheikh Abdullah’s first cabinet, the NC noted it included leaders like GL Dogra, Sardar Budh Singh, Kushak Bakula, and DP Dhar, reflecting his inclusive vision.
“Sheikh sahib’s political journey was not a quest for power, but a lifelong struggle for dignity, justice, and empowerment of the common people,” the statement read. “His spirit of tolerance and mutual respect continues to guide us today.”
The National Conference reaffirmed its commitment to the ideals of its founder: “unity, equality, and a just society for all.”
