Syed Nissar H Gilani
In the vast tapestry of Kashmiri history, certain moments stand out—not merely for the events they mark, but for the caliber of individuals they bring together. One such day was September 8, 1987. I was invited by my medico friends to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura, Srinagar, to attend the first memorial lecture marking the death anniversary of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
The auditorium was packed to capacity with an eminent cross-section of society, all gathered to hear the guest of honor: the legendary Indian jurist and orator, Mr. Nani Palkhivala.
An Electrifying Critique
Palkhivala was a titan of the law—the “conscience keeper” of the Indian Constitution. For over an hour, he held the audience spellbound. His speech was a masterclass in both oratory and courage. Delivering an electrifying critique of the “moth-ridden” system of the era, he pointedly blamed the bureaucracy and the political class for India’s stagnant economy.
With his trademark mastery of statistics, he noted that India was then the 17th poorest country in the world, adding two thousand babies every hour to its population. He lamented a widespread lack of “civic sense,” famously referring to those who ignored the value of time as “missing links.” Yet, as he concluded, his tone softened. He shared profound insights from his private conversations with the “Sher-i-Kashmir,” paying a stirring tribute to the leader’s vision. The hall erupted in two standing ovations—the second at the request of the Chief Guest, Dr. Farooq Abdullah.
During the tea that followed, I was fortunate to be introduced to Mr. Palkhivala. In our brief five-minute conversation, he inquired about my profession and my work with Doordarshan Srinagar. Before he departed, he kindly signed an autograph for my son, Tahir—a cherished memento of a man who bridged the worlds of law and ethics.
Three Pillars of Memory
While Palkhivala provided the intellectual tribute, my own connection to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was forged through three personal encounters:
- The Visionary (1968): My first meeting occurred at my ancestral home, Yarkand House in Malaratta srinagar. Sheikh Sahib was then in the “political wilderness,” personally collecting donations for the Hazratbal Shrine reconstruction. My father, Dr. Syed Mohammad Amin Gilani, who had served the leader’s organization with unwavering faith, greeted him warmly and donated 300 rupees. Over tea and parathas, the tall leader sat with us for fifteen minutes. Even then, his passion for the shrine was infectious.
- The Honored Guest (1972): On my wedding day, August 31, 1972, Sheikh Sahib joined our wedding lunch. In a one-on-one conversation, he was deeply inquisitive about my postgraduate studies in Zoology and my career aspirations. He was accompanied by the poet Mirza Kamal-ud-Din Shaida and Mr. Mir G.R. Dabba, the reputed engineer of the mammoth Hazratbal project.
- The Statesman (1982): My final meeting was in June 1982 in Kupwara. I was discharging my duty as a Magistrate during the Urs of the saint at Muqam Shah Wali Sahab. I watched as the Chief Minister arrived in an army chopper, received by Brigadier Brar, Colonel Hansroa, and the Divisional Commissioner, Mr. Naik. Through my acquaintance with Col. Hansroa, I had a final interaction with the leader who had defined our era. He passed away on September 8, 1982.
The Evolution of a Legacy
Four decades after his passing, the legacy of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah—once seen as monolithic and beyond reproach—has become a subject of intense debate. The “Sher-i-Kashmir” who commanded blind devotion in the halls of SKIMS in 1987 is now viewed through a more critical contemporary lens.
As political landscapes have shifted, so too have the viewpoints of the people. To some, he remains the architect of modern Kashmir; to others, his decisions are seen as the root of long-standing complexities. This disputed legacy reflects the broader transformation of our society. However, for those of us wh
o witnessed his presence—whether over parathas at Yarkand House or on the official landing grounds of Kupwara—the sheer force of his personality and his role as a witness to our history remains an undeniable fact of a bygone era.
Syed Nissar H. Gilani is a former civil servant from the administrative service and can be reached at nisargilani57748@gmail.com
