In a rather regrettable trend, the National Conference (NC) appears to be neglecting the memory of its fallen heroes, leaving them to fade into obscurity. As time marches on, it’s disheartening to witness the party’s apparent disregard for those who sacrificed everything for its cause.
While I was scrolling through social media, a post caught my eye – a 1975 speech by the late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at Srinagar’s historic Lal Chowk. The speech, although a powerful reminder of the past, highlights an unsettling issue within the NC’s current trajectory.
Late Sheikh Abdullah, in his speech, harked back to the days when party workers faced tremendous adversity. It was during the tumultuous period of the Kabaili invasion in 1947 when the party lost some of its most dedicated members. Among those martyrs was Master Abdul Aziz, a prominent Kashmiri politician closely associated with the NC, formerly known as the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference (AJKMC).
Master Abdul Aziz’s contributions to the party’s struggle for the freedom of Jammu and Kashmir from British rule are undeniable. He wasn’t just a political figure; he was a proponent of communal harmony and Hindu-Muslim unity, values that are as important today as they were back then. Unfortunately, it appears that his sacrifices and the sacrifices of others like him are slowly slipping from the party’s memory.
Master Abdul Aziz’s assassination on October 18, 1947, at the hands of the Kabaili Groups, a pro-Pakistan militia, marked a significant loss for the AJKMC and the greater cause of Kashmiri freedom. Sheikh Abdullah’s words, spoken just two days later at Lal Chowk, are a stark reminder: “We will never forget his sacrifice.”
It’s a poignant statement that ought to ring in the ears of the NC’s current leadership. The sacrifices of these heroes should serve as a moral compass and a source of inspiration for the party. Yet, it appears that their legacy has been relegated to the dusty shelves of history.
In the present day, the National Conference stands as the largest regional party in Jammu and Kashmir, a testament to the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before. However, the irony lies in the fact that the party leaders of today seem to have lost touch with the spirit and essence of its roots.
As the party’s leadership strives to secure its positions and maintain its political influence, it’s crucial to remember that the NC was built upon the dedication and unwavering commitment of individuals like Master Abdul Aziz. These unsung heroes should not be left to fade into oblivion, for they are the pillars upon which the party’s success was built.
It’s high time for the National Conference to revive the memory of its fallen heroes and recommit itself to the values and principles they stood for. In acknowledging and honoring their sacrifices, the party can rekindle the spirit of unity, freedom, and justice that has defined its history and hold these values in high regard as it navigates the complex challenges of the present and the future. After all, it is by remembering and respecting its past that a political party can forge a path toward a brighter tomorrow.
