SHABIR AHMAD SHAH
I was fortunate enough to observe the proceedings of the J&K Legislative Assembly day 2nd on 5th November 2024 at Assembly Complex Srinagar from the speaker’s gallery Abdul Rahim Rather. The assembly session started sharp at 10 AM with the address of Hon’ble Speaker paid tribute to fifty seven listed deceased names of ex-assembly and/or parliament members who served the people. The names of these deceased great people listed by the Hon’ble speaker for the purpose of a tribute, condolence and two minute silence in the house. Mostly the current assembly member’s paid rich tributes to the top national stalwart leaders Atal Bihari Vajipayee former Prime Minister & Pranab Mukherjee former president.
Late Atal Bihari Vajipayee who remembered for his contribution in advocate peaceful approach, Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and improved relations with all neighboring countries irrespective of business relations & external affairs. Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami added Late Sitaram Yechury Member of Parliament, West Bengal in the list of deceased with high remarks in favour of the deceased. One more great speaker pointed out by Tarigami was Somnath Chatterji when he elected as a speaker of Lok Saba in 2008. Tarigami pointed out the decision of Late Mukherji not to resign hence ignoring his party’s instructions. Tarigami while elaborating the incident said that Somnath Chatterji was elected as a speaker of Lok Saba unanimously by the house even though when his few party members are in the lok saba. It was his decision Somnath Chatterji to continue the speaker when his party withdraw support to the Government on Indo-US nuclear deal. Somnath Chatter, denied the resignation because of the reason that he was elected as a speaker by the house not by his party he associated but the house. It clearly reflects the commitment & responsibility of a person or a leader towards the common people besides the responsibility of a speaker in the house.
This particular example clearly shows that a speaker did not belong to any particular party, cast, creed, religion or a region but uphold the custodian of the aspirations of the people’s voice in the house. Syed Ali Shah Geelani also remembered in the assembly being member of the house in 1972, 1977 & 1987 from Sopore. “Today we are here to pay tributes to great personalities who have been members of this house among them is Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Our ideologies may differ but he was a good orator said Rafiq Ahmad Naik”. Bashir Ahmad Veeri also remember SAS Geelani in his speech of tribute to the late ex-members of house. Balwant Singh Mankotia MLA from Jammu paid tribute to Prof. Bhim Singh, an activist, lawyer and author. Prof Bhim Singh was the grandson of general zorawar singh referred to by the historians as the “Nepoleon of India”. Among other members of the house, Chief Minister Omer Abdullah paid rich tribute to the sitting MLA Devender Singh Rana on his death at the age of 59. Omer said that irrespective of personal interests Late Rana always try to help the people and succeeded in making a place in their hearts that is why he always won his assembly seat from Nagrota Jammu.
It is evident from above that all of us want to be remembered after death because of our deeds, to shoulder the responsibilities, people friendly mind set up and success in making a place in the hearts of the people. It is also pointed out that this session of an assembly or parliament begin mainly at the start of the house is crucial in view of biography of those who left this world to inform the house. The positive side of biography of these deceased ex-members will definitely impact the present members of the house and they will work by the inspiration of these great ex-members. It will be injustice if we do not here mention those crores of people who take care of their family, neighbourhood, relatives, friends though having meager amount of money in disposal or living hard life. I remember my father sahib who was an employee of handicraft department lived a life of a middle class group and succeeded in looking into & taking care of my family and other responsibilities. Kashmir having a galaxy of intellectuals who will be remembered, here I quote an example of Late Ghulam Rasool Gayoor, Sout-i-Kashmir of Ratnipora Pulwama who guided the people in education, literacy and other important fields. I do want to be remembered hereafter because this means that I have made a positive difference to the people in my life.
Shabir Ahmad Shah can be reached at Shabir_anas@yahoo.com
