National Conference (NC) Friday paid glowing tributes to Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on his 115th birth anniversary and termed him the founding father of “political awakening” and “social transformation” in Jammu and Kashmir.
A statement of NC issued here said that while paying tributes to the NC founder on his 115th birth anniversary, NC’s rank and file said, “In Sheikh Sahab’s legacy we find answers to many current challenges that we are faced with today including a challenge to our identity and unique political status.”
They said the best tribute to him at this juncture would be to imbibe the same indomitable courage which he exhibited all his life.
“He not only ushered in an era of development and social justice in the State post independence but also guided the people with emancipation, secular, and progressive ideologies,” they said. “He illumined the masses about the power of democracy and humanism.”
They said even Mahatma Gandhi saw a ray of hope in his efforts and prayed that Kashmir under him should become a beacon light to the benighted subcontinent.
“He was undeniably a brightest star of the state and of the country. A magnetic personality, he always held Articles 370 and 35-A as a free and dignified bond of association with secular India,” they said.
The NC statement said the main Fateh ceremony on Sheikh’s birth anniversary would be held at his grave at NaseemBagh that would be followed by kick-starting NC’s membership drive 2020-21 by NC President Farooq Abdullah.
NC leaders Ali Muhammad Sagar, NasirAslamWani, Abdul Rahim Rather, Muhammad Shafi (Uri), MianAltaf Ahmad, Mubarak Gul, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzaan, SakinaItoo, Nazir Khan (Gurezi), G A Shah, ShariefuddinShariq, ShameemaFirdous; ShammiOberoi, Muhammad Akbar Lone, Ali Muhammad Dar, Bashir Ahmed Veeri; HasnainMasoodi, Irfan Ahmed Shah, Mir Saifullah, Aga Syed Mehmood, Syed Tauqeer, Showkat Ahmed Mir, Peer Afaq, QaiserJamsheed Lone, AltafKaloo, Abdul MajeedLarmi, Sheikh IshfaqJabbar, GhulamMohiudin Mir, G R Naaz, Abdul Ahad Dar, Javed Dar and others paid glowing tributes to the NC founder.