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| The Unsung Hero of Kashmiriyat | | A Tribute to Sarvanand Koul Premi | | Omkar Dattatray
TORCHBEARER OF COMPOSITE CULTURE
Sarvanand Koul Premi was born on 2nd November 1924 and was a legendary Kashmiri poet, journalist, research scholar, Gandhian, social reformer, and above all, a great human being. As Late Sarvanand Koul Premi’s birth anniversary approaches, it is fitting to pen down a tribute to this luminary. Premiji was not merely a poet, writer, thinker, and intellectual; he was a revolutionary, a true advocate, torchbearer, and proponent of Kashmiriyat, syncretic culture, and Hindu-Muslim unity.
Throughout his eventful life, Premiji laid down his precious life for preserving Kashmiriyat and communal harmony. His firm advocacy for composite culture did not suit the scheming and machinations of terrorists, who ultimate targeted and gunned him down for being an unwavering champion of peace.
Kashmiriyat remains the darling of every Kashmiri today, even as it stands challenged following the forced exile of the Kashmiri Pandit community nearly 36 years ago—a community targeted simply because it did not subscribe to the myopic view of extremists and militants.
“Co-existence was ingrained in his flesh and blood. Premi believed in syncretic culture and fought throughout his life for the upliftment of communal harmony, standing as a rock for safeguarding Kashmiriyat and Sufi traditions.”
A CHAMPION FOR ALL COMMUNITIES
There was a burning desire during Premiji’s life to see the flowering of a composite culture in Jammu and Kashmir despite the onset of militancy. Because of his unyielding stance, he became an eyesore to radicals and extremists who were staunch opponents of all that he embodied. Ultimately, he and his son were martyred in broad daylight to instill fear and insecurity within the Kashmiri Pandit community. Yet, his contribution to upholding Kashmiriyat, communal amity, and mutual respect remains peerless and unshakeable.
A LIVING EXAMPLE OF COMPASSION: THE KOKERNAG INCIDENT
Premiji rendered aid to anyone in need without regard to religious affiliation. A telling anecdote highlights his selflessness: during a visit to the Punjab National Bank branch in Kokernag, he met a poor Muslim woman working as a sweeper on meager contingency wages. Mistaking Premiji for a minister due to his dignified attire, she requested his help to secure permanent employment. Recognizing her plight, Premiji immediately obtained the contact details of the General Manager. Within days, he pursued her case with the Regional Manager, resulting in formal orders for her appointment as a permanent employee along with substantial back-pay.
This anecdote is just one among many instances where Premi Sahib helped individuals across community lines, including countless Muslim families. As an educator of high repute, he taught numerous Muslim students free of tuition fees. He was deeply revered by both Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims alike, standing as a cherished role model for the entire society.
LEGACY AND IMMORTAL VALUES
Premi Sahib was a secularist to the core—a man who watered the seeds of secularism and pluralism with his sweat and blood. His assassination was widely mourned not only across literary circles but also among common Kashmiris who quietly cursed the perpetrators during the height of militancy. His martyrdom was not merely the loss of a Kashmiri Pandit poet and thinker, but symbolized a heavy blow to the spirit of Kashmiriyat itself.
Today, Premi Sahib continues to inspire a vast legion of followers who honor his philosophy of Sufi traditions, secularism, and mutual co-existence. On his birth anniversary, let us resolve to work towards promoting Hindu-Muslim unity and preserving the syncretic heritage he championed.
GOVERNMENT & INSTITUTIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Academic Recognition: Establish a dedicated Chair in honor of Sarvanand Koul Premi at the University of Kashmir.
Literary Preservation: Request the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKCA) to translate and publish his extensive library of over two dozen books.
Research & Scholarship: Initiate formal academic research programs focusing on his poetry, philosophy, and contributions to Sufi literature. |
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