news details |
|
|
| `Kashmiris have thrown shoes on all Abdullahs' | | |  Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Aug 1: The Abdullahs have received bouquets and brickbats as well. None among them including Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah had a cakewalk in the state. The people conveyed their displeasure whenever the leaders deviated from the stand. At times they pelted stones to express their anger and when stones were not available, the people threw shoes.
This way the Kashmiris have the distinction of inventing this `novel' mode of protest. However, Kashmir history fails to make a mention of these daring deeds. The Abdullahs have been important for past eight decades. They have seen good times and bad moments. They have been loved and ridiculed. Sher-e-Kashmir was the first among Abdullah's to face wrath of the people. After the July 13 massacre outside Srinagar Central Jail, the government managed an agreement with the leadership. All protests came to a halt. This did not go well with the masses. There were attempts on Sher-e-Kashmir' life as well. Finally the leaders managed to pacify the people at the historic Jamia Masjid where they vowed to take the movement to its logical end.
After facing the wrath of people in Srinagar, Sher-e-Kashmir went to Sopore to address a gathering. Shabnam Qayoom says on page110 of his Kashmir Ka Siyasi Inqilaab, Vol. I: "The anger did not subside fully after the Jamia Masjid rally. Next, the leaders faced some tough moments at Sopore. Abdul Gani Malik of Arampora, Sopore threw a shoe at Sheikh Abdullah. It hit him in the chest. Another shoe hit Ashai. The angry people were pacified by Saad-ud-Din Shawl and Sofi Muhammad Akber.
After assuming power through rigged elections in 1987, Dr Farooq Abdullah went to Eidgah to offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. A group of angry young men in the front row threw a number of shoes at him. The congregational prayers were delayed for quite some time. Soon after the incident scores of young men were taken into custody. They were also taken into custody on Eid-ul-Azha and next year a few days ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The trend ended in 1989 when the on-going movement gained momentum.
The 2010 agitation claimed 129 lives. People were aghast. On August 15, 2010 when Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah was delivering his `Independence speech' to a large number of police men and soldiers from army and para-military forces, a police man, Abdul Ahad Jan threw a shoe at him. The shoe missed the intended target. "Throw shoes not stones", Omar responded.
Jan became a hero overnight. A noted organization also announced an award for him. Jan was immediately taken into custody and severely tortured. Omar Abdullah scored a point over his grandfather and father. Sher-e-Kashmir was red with anger when a shoe hit him at Sopore. Similarly, Dr Farooq lost his cool at Eidgah. But Omar remained calm and composed. When Jan was produced before him next morning, Omar pardoned him. But the pardon has not helped him in any way. A case is pending adjudication in a court of law against him. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
