Envisioning crucial role for National Conference in steering out Jammu and Kashmir from morass created by ‘opportunistic’ PDP-BJP alliance, Provincial President Devender Singh Rana on Saturday said the people feel dejected and let down by abject failure of the government on every front.“Apart from developmental deprivation, a sense of political disempowerment is gaining roots among people with rudderless coalition looking towards New Delhi on every issue”, Rana said while paying homage to Madre-e-Mehrban Begum Akbar Jehan on her 15thdeath anniversary at a function at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning.Senior leadear and former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, State Vice Presidents Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Shah Bukhari, Rattan Lal Gupta, Th Kashmira Singh, State Secretary Th Rachpal Singh and Sheikh Bashir besides MLC Master Noor Hussain and former legislators Ajaz Jan and Bimla Luthra also paid tributes to Madr-e-Mehrban.Rana cautioned people against divisive politics being played by the ruling coalition with an eye on carving out vote banks by inciting passions and exploiting delicate public sentiments. In this context he referred to covert machinations of fiddling with 35A of Article 370 to erode the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Such a move is detrimental for the larger interest people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, he said adding that National Conference will fight tooth and nail the designs of weakening unique character of the state.
Paying tributes to Madr-e-Mehrban, the Provincial President recalled her historic role during the political movement of Jammu and Kashmir and thereafter, saying she supported bravely the mission of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for seeking a dignified place for the people and ensuring their empowerment. He made a particular reference to the role Begum Sahiba played during the imprisonment of Sheikh Sahib and said she kept the spirit of people live and infused energy them. “Whenever historians will write on Sher-e-Kashmir, they cannot afford to ignore Madr-e-Meharban, as the persona of the tallest among the towering leaders of the time was incomplete without this great lady”, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, former minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra said the people of Jammu and Kashmir will always remain indebted to Madr-e-Meharban for keeping the great mission of Sher-e-Kashmir alive during his long spell of imprisonment. He described her contribution in promotion of female literacy and empowerment of weaker sections of the society as exemplary and added that her life has been an example of selfless service to poor and needy.
He said that “Madr-e-Meharban stood like a rock against the conspirators of National Conference and infused a new vigour to the movement launched by Sher-e-Kashmir to seek a dignified life for the people, irrespective of caste, creed, region or religion.Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, Rattan Lal Gupta, Th Kashmira Singh and Th Rachhpal Singh paid their respectful homage to Begum Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and threw light on various facets of her life. They referred to the role played by Begum Sahiba in generating political awakening at a crucial time when Sher-e-Kashmir was in prison.
Provincial Secretary Sheikh Bashir, MLC Master Noor Hussain, former MLA Ajaz Jan, Chander Mohan Sharma, Dr Gafoor, Anil Dhar and Iqbal Wani also paid tributes to Madr-e-Mehrban and said that her contribution will serve as inspiration for coming generations. They said that Begum Sahiba left an indelible mark of selfless service and her role in empowering poor, down trodden, weaker sections especially Gujjars and Bakerwals in most difficult and challenging times.