FEEDBACK
Emotions aside, we must be quite objective while making a judgment about the personalities of the past. Yes, Iqbal is a phenomenon, but certainly not the founder of a freedom struggle in Kashmir, Dr. A. Wahid responds to an article by Tabassum Kashmiri.
This refers to the article, "Of Iqbal, Sheikh Abdullah, and Kashmir" by Tabassum Kashmiri (GK Feb 26, 2010). The author has projected some brilliant historical facts and the article is beyond doubt a treasure of information. Some people have started calling Allama Iqbal as founder of Kashmiri freedom struggle. These fans of Allama try to keep history subservient to emotions. This is mere fanaticism. Iqbal is no doubt one of the greatest personalities of the world held in highest esteem by the people of the subcontinent. But had Dr. Iqbal been alive, he would never have accepted being labeled as founder of Kashmir freedom struggle.
The foundation of the Kashmir freedom struggle has been laid by Kashmiris themselves. Prior to the historical uprising of 1931 many Kashmiris (Sons of the soil) fought against indiscrimination with all sincerety and struggled hard to secure rights based on justice. They worked against all odds but have unfortunately remained unsung. Time will definitely come when their contribution will be accorded recognition, their names will shine like stars and they will be given due place in history. Our institutions, roads, parks, and factories will be bear their names. Then the real foundation of Kashmir moment was laid on July 13, 1931 when Kashmiris braved the bullets of the Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh.
"Bina kardand khush rasme ba khak-o-khoon galteedan
Khuda rehmat kunand een ashqani paak teenat ra"
This day was the turning point in the history of Kashmir. The blood of the martyrs shook the whole sub-continent and Kashmir committee with Mirza Bashir-u-din Mahmood as its president gave a call for "Kashmir Day" on August 14, 1931. The day was observed all over the subcontinent. We created so many sympathizers and Allama Iqbal was one of them. But we cannot label sympathysers as founders.
The struggle, as I said was founded only by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Mirwaiz Maulana Yousuf Shah, Choudhry Ghulam Abbas, Choudary Hamidullah Khan, Ghulam Ahmad Aashaii, Ghulam Nabi Gilkar, Molvi Abdullah Vakil, Saad-ud-din Shawl, Syed Hussain Jalali and others were in the forefront to lead the struggle. They were later joined by stallwarts like Maulana Masoodi, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, Mohi-din Karra, Mirza Mohammad Afzal beigh, Mufti Zia-u-din Ponchi, Abdul Salam Dalal, Sadir-u-din Mujahid, Raja Akbar khan, Ghulam Mohidin Rahbar, Mohidin Zohra, and hundreds of others. How did they behave later and what did they achieve is history.
Having said all this I agree with Tabassum Kashmiri that Mirza Bashir-u-din Mehmood was the forerunner among the sympathizers of Kashmir. There is no denying of the fact that Mirza Mahmood was the founder president of "Kashmir Committee" and his name was proposed by none else than Allama Iqbal keeping in view the enormous influence of Mirza Mahmood. Famous writer Shabnam Qayoom too has documented and mentioned this fact in his book, "Kashmir ka siyasi Inqilab" while describing the genesis of Kashmir Committee. Those who had suggested Tabassum kashmiri to study Atashi-Chinaar to know Dr. Iqbal's role in Kashmir struggle are advised to re-read the book and get the answer themselves. Tabassum Kashmiri has also given them the same advice. In fact he rightly wants to show them the mirror back.
(source greater kashmir 28 feb 2010)
This refers to the article, "Of Iqbal, Sheikh Abdullah, and Kashmir" by Tabassum Kashmiri (GK Feb 26, 2010). The author has projected some brilliant historical facts and the article is beyond doubt a treasure of information. Some people have started calling Allama Iqbal as founder of Kashmiri freedom struggle. These fans of Allama try to keep history subservient to emotions. This is mere fanaticism. Iqbal is no doubt one of the greatest personalities of the world held in highest esteem by the people of the subcontinent. But had Dr. Iqbal been alive, he would never have accepted being labeled as founder of Kashmir freedom struggle.
The foundation of the Kashmir freedom struggle has been laid by Kashmiris themselves. Prior to the historical uprising of 1931 many Kashmiris (Sons of the soil) fought against indiscrimination with all sincerety and struggled hard to secure rights based on justice. They worked against all odds but have unfortunately remained unsung. Time will definitely come when their contribution will be accorded recognition, their names will shine like stars and they will be given due place in history. Our institutions, roads, parks, and factories will be bear their names. Then the real foundation of Kashmir moment was laid on July 13, 1931 when Kashmiris braved the bullets of the Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh.
"Bina kardand khush rasme ba khak-o-khoon galteedan
Khuda rehmat kunand een ashqani paak teenat ra"
This day was the turning point in the history of Kashmir. The blood of the martyrs shook the whole sub-continent and Kashmir committee with Mirza Bashir-u-din Mahmood as its president gave a call for "Kashmir Day" on August 14, 1931. The day was observed all over the subcontinent. We created so many sympathizers and Allama Iqbal was one of them. But we cannot label sympathysers as founders.
The struggle, as I said was founded only by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Mirwaiz Maulana Yousuf Shah, Choudhry Ghulam Abbas, Choudary Hamidullah Khan, Ghulam Ahmad Aashaii, Ghulam Nabi Gilkar, Molvi Abdullah Vakil, Saad-ud-din Shawl, Syed Hussain Jalali and others were in the forefront to lead the struggle. They were later joined by stallwarts like Maulana Masoodi, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, Mohi-din Karra, Mirza Mohammad Afzal beigh, Mufti Zia-u-din Ponchi, Abdul Salam Dalal, Sadir-u-din Mujahid, Raja Akbar khan, Ghulam Mohidin Rahbar, Mohidin Zohra, and hundreds of others. How did they behave later and what did they achieve is history.
Having said all this I agree with Tabassum Kashmiri that Mirza Bashir-u-din Mehmood was the forerunner among the sympathizers of Kashmir. There is no denying of the fact that Mirza Mahmood was the founder president of "Kashmir Committee" and his name was proposed by none else than Allama Iqbal keeping in view the enormous influence of Mirza Mahmood. Famous writer Shabnam Qayoom too has documented and mentioned this fact in his book, "Kashmir ka siyasi Inqilab" while describing the genesis of Kashmir Committee. Those who had suggested Tabassum kashmiri to study Atashi-Chinaar to know Dr. Iqbal's role in Kashmir struggle are advised to re-read the book and get the answer themselves. Tabassum Kashmiri has also given them the same advice. In fact he rightly wants to show them the mirror back.
(source greater kashmir 28 feb 2010)
