Mainstream politicians and others have expressed shock and grief over the assassination of senior journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Rising Kashmir, Shujaat Bukhari.
FAROOQ, OMAR, NC LEADERS
National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice- president Omar Abdullah termed the killing of Shujaat Bukhari as an assault on moderation, sanity and the very essence of democracy, They sought a speedy probe into the killing and said the Government must ensure that the culprits are brought to justice as soon as possible. They expressed solidarity with Bukhari’s family and prayed for peace to the departed soul. Senior party leaders, including NC additional seneral secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, senior leaders Abdul Rahim Rather, Muhammad Shafi Uri, Mubarak Gul, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri, Ali Muhammad Dar, Muhammad Akbar Lone, Sakina Ittoo, Mir Saifullah, Shamima Firdous as well as all party legislators have expressed profound grief and shock over Bukhari’s demise and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
Provincial President Devender Singh Rana termed the killing as most barbaric, cowardice and inhuman act, which has shocked the nation and said it is time for introspection.
TASSADUQ MUFTI
Minister for Tourism, Tassaduq Hussain Mufti said, “Shujaat Bukhari was a man who stood for peace. He did so with conviction, perseverance and fortitude. He did so against all odds and despite a serious threat to his life.”
“A day of festivities has become a day of mourning. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. My deepest condolences,” he said.
KOHLI, MIR ZAHOOR, KHALIL BANDH
Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli and Minister of State for Forest, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mir Zahoor Ahmed said that Bukhari played a pivotal role in institutionalizing journalism in Kashmir and would be remembered for his services in the field of journalism and upholding truth.
Minister for agriculture Muhammad Khalil Bandh said that Bukhari will be always remembered for his professional journalistic acumen. He said that his loss has created a void in Kashmiri journalism which would be difficult to fill in near future.
DR NIRMAL SINGH
Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Dr Nirmal Singh in his condolence message prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and endurance for the family and friends of the deceased to bear this irreparable loss.
ASIEA NAQASH
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Social welfare, Health & Medical Education, Power Development and Industries & Commerce, Asiea Naqash in her condolence message, expressed her heartfelt sympathies with Basharat Ahmed Bukhari, cabinet Minister who is Shujaat’s brother and prayed for eternal peace and highest place in heaven to the departed soul.
PROF SOZ
Former union minister and senior Congress leader Prof Saifuddin Soz said: “Here was a man who realized, in full measure, that the people of Kashmir suffered greatest miseries due to hostility between India and Pakistan. It was, therefore, he was restless and missed no opportunity to emphasize that a purposeful dialogue between India and Pakistan together with the people of Kashmir was the only way forward.”
“Since the most active militant outfits have declared that they were not involved in the crime, the people of Kashmir rightly expect that the J&K Police will show its mettle and nab the killers, at the earliest.”
G A MIR
Strongly condemning the killing president of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee GA Mir described the incident as, mindless cowardly, and shameful act on the part of attackers.
“I offer my deepest condolences to bereaved family and pray for eternal peace to Bukhari,” he added.
HAKEEM YASEEN
Chairman PDF and MLA Khansahib Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen conveyed his heartfelt condolence and sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
He described the killing of Bukhari as highly barbaric and inhuman adding that his assassination is the murder of whole humanity. He said, “Late Bukhari was true voice of the people and his contribution to the journalism, art, culture and socio-political affairs of the state will always be remembered.”
MAYAWATI
The BSP supremo Mayawati said, “I am extremely saddened by the death of Kashmiri journalist Shujaat Bukhari…Time has come for the Narendra Modi government to shun its stubborn attitude and immediately review its Kashmir policy in the interest of the country.”
PDP JAMMU PROVINCE
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Coordinator Jammu Province Choudhary Abdul Hamid termed Shujaat’s killing a big loss to the media fraternity and the state
PROF AMITABH MATTOO
Advisor to Chief Minister Prof Amitabh Mattoo expressed heartfelt grief and shock over the death of the Bukhari. “I have lost a personal friend in Shujaat, who I have known for most of the last two decades. The media fraternity has been deprived of a courageous journalist, fiercely independent and someone who could not be boxed in by the familiar orthodoxies that define the politics of Kashmir. And the Valley’s civil society will gravely miss one of its most robust voices,” Prof Mattoo said.
SECY, DIR INFORMATION
Secretary Information, Sarmad Hafeez and director Information, Tariq Ahmad Zargar expressed deep anguish over Shujaat’s killing. Recalling his contribution in the field of journalism in the state, they said that he was always working for the cause of the journalists besides contributing immensely in social and literary arenas.
Director Archives, Archaeology & Museums, Muneer-ul-Islam also expressed deep grief and shock over the killing of Shujaat Bukhari.
ZAFAR IQBAL MANHAS
Vice-president of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Zafar Iqbal Manhas said: “Shocked, devastated and dumb founded, I am unable to express my deep sorrow and pain on the brutal killing of Bukhari.”
GRAND MUFTI
Grand Mufti Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammed Bashir -ud-Din and deputy Grand Mufti Mufti Nasir-Ul-Islam expressed utmost shock and mourning for the cold-blooded murder of Shujaat Bukhari along with his two PSOs at the time of Iftaar.
SDSJK
President of Society of Dental Surgeons J&K in a statement said that Bukhari was an epitome in the field of journalism and his acumen and vision was internationally acclaimed. He was the proud son of soil and the gruesome act in silencing his voice has led a big void in all the hearts of every human especially Kashmiris.
EJAC
President of Employees Joint Action Committee Abdul Qayoom Wani in a statement termed cold blooded murder of Shujaat Bukhari direct attack on freedom of press and demanded immediate inquiry into the incident.
DAK, MFA
The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) led by Dr Nisar-ul-Hasssan and Medical Faculty Association (MFA) of Government Medical College (GMC) and Government Dental College Srinagar expressed shock and grief over sad demise of Shujaat Bukhari.
In a statement Dr Nisar said: “This senseless act of unspeakable brutality has shaken the entire nation.”
“It was a brutal assault on the freedom of press and an ominous portent for dissent in democracy,” he said.
DAK President said Shujaat was a fearless and uncompromising journalist who spoke truth to power.
The MFA delegation headed by its general secretary Prof (Dr) Mufti Mahmood visited ancestral home of the deceased at Kreeri, Baramulla on today and offered Nimaza Jinaza to the departed soul. “The MFA shares the grief of the family and prays to almighty Allah to grant him a place in Jannat,” the statement said.
PSAJK
Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) condemned the inhuman killing. “It has deeply pained everyone. Shujaat Bukhari was a mentor and guide for youngsters who wished to pursue the career in journalism. He handheld hundreds of youngsters and inspired thousands in their careers,” said G N Var president PSAJK.
KASHMIR PRESS CLUB
The Kashmir Press Club (KPC) / Aiwan e Sahafat strongly condemned the gruesome killing of senior journalist and editor of Rising Kashmir Shujaat Bukhari. The club is pained at the loss of its senior member and considers the killing as an assault on the entire media fraternity in Kashmir, a spokesman of the club said in a statement.
KASHMIR JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION
Kashmir Journalists Association (KJA) said it is in deep shock and mourning over the killing of Bukhari. “We pay tributes to him for his acumen and courage he has shown while working tirelessly in the field of journalism. His killing is attack on the institution of journalism and freedom of press in J&K,” a KJA spokesperson said in a statement.
Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society
Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) said Bukhari’s killing is yet another blow to freedom of the press in Jammu and Kashmir. “The attack on journalists is nothing new in nearly three decades of armed conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 19 journalists have been killed in J&K since the beginning of armed conflict in 1990,” a JKCCS spokesman said in a statement.
ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora, condemned Bukhari’s demise. “He was a well wisher of IUST and was adjunct faculty in the department of Journalism and Mass Communication. The University in particular and people of the State in general have lost a great journalist, a visionary scholar and a noble soul,” an IUST spokesman said in a statement.
KCSDS
Kashmir Centre for social & development studies (KCSDS) said that it is rude shock.
In a statement a KCSDS spokesman said, ‘We are terribly grieved at the brutal assassination of Bukhari carried in broad daylight, in a high security zone and coinciding with the indictment of India by UN human rights council for gross human rights violations in Kashmir, the assassination raises many questions,” a KCSDS spokesperson said in a statement.
HCBA
J&K High Court Bar Association Srinagar expressed grief and sorrow over Bukhari’s killing.
While expressing its solidarity with the members of the bereaved family, the Bar Association prays to Almighty Allah to give them courage and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
JAMMU & KASHMIR RTI MOVEMENT
Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement in a statement termed the assassination of Bukhari as a cold blooded murder.
Chairman Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat termed Bukhari as voice of voiceless who has been silenced forever. He was a learned personality, a fearless journalist and above all a down to earth human being.
OTHERS
Chairman Nigeen Tourist Traders Association (NTTA) Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo also condemned Bukhari’s killing and prayed for peace to his soul.
Chief spokesperson of Kashmir Traders Federation Ajaz Shahdhar said: “His contribution towards the society was remarkable and his personality in whole was great. He was a noble and pious sole.”
J&K Hoteliers Club (JKHC) has expressed shock over the killing of editor-in-chief of Rising Kashmir Syed Shujaat Bukhari.
The JKHC Chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya while expressing shock and grief over his death said Shujaat’s death is a big loss to me and my members. I have very fond memories of him. It’s like losing family for me. It’s very painful.
The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union Srinagar condemned the killing saying, “Shujaat was a young, courageous and fearless and prominent journalist and his death is a great loss to the media fraternity of the State.”
Chairman J&K Contractors Coordination Committee Ghulam Jeelani Purza condemned the killing of Bukharin and termed it as “murder of humanity.”