JAMMU FEBRUARY 24- National Conference on Sunday gave a clarion call for upholding, promoting and sustaining the secular ethos of the state, saying any deviation will be against the very idea of Jammu and Kashmir.
“J&K is synonymous to Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Esai Itehad and this forms political philosophy of National Conference for which its towering leaders gave innumerable sacrifices”, Provincial President Devender Singh Rana said while leading the party workers in paying tribute to Sheikh Nazir Ahmed, the former General Secretary, on his fourth death anniversary at a function, held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning.
Rana recalled the pioneering role of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah in strengthening bonds of amity and brotherhood, saying his unflinching faith in inclusiveness was a crucial factor in galvanizing the people in the Valley to stand like a rock in preserving communal amity and unity during most horrendous days of the Partition when communal frenzy engulfed the sub-continent. In that scary situation, Mahatma Gandhi had seen a ray of hope emanating from Kashmir, he said adding that these attributes of the state were seen in immense measure in Jammu post 1990 disturbed conditions when this city rose to the occasion and became second home for the people in distress.
“We have to uphold this spirit of Jammu by isolating microscopic minority of those showing signs of intolerance to this ethos”, Rana said while lauding the people in general for demonstrating high degree of resilience in meeting challenges. In the recent days too this spirit dominated and helped in restoration of normality which had got vitiated by rumour mongering, he maintained.
Paying his tributes, Additional General Secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal described Sheikh Nazir as a selfless leader who stood for high values in politics and public life. He said the former General Secretary worked tirelessly for betterment of the people, especially poor, and strengthened the party at grass roots level and carrying forward the mission of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah.
In his homage, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal said Nazir Sahib shaped the destiny of National Conference as a strong mass movement that strived for dignity and honour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
