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Flash back June 21, 1931: The day that changed Kashmir
6/21/2011 12:25:02 AM
EARLY TIMES REPORT
srinagar: June 20 is an important date in Kashmir history. This day, historians believe, changed Kashmir for good.
On April 19, 1931 when an Imam was delivering the Eid sermon in a Municipal Park at Jammu, a police constable, Chowdhury Ram Chand intervened and directed the Imam to refrain from delivering the sermon. The Muslims took it seriously and registered strong protest. The incident, however, went un-noticed in Srinagar. When the news reached Srinagar, the situation in Jammu had pacified.
Late Professor Noor-ud-Din has written in his diary that the leaders of the Reading Room Party pondered and decided to stage a similar drama. Noted historian, Shabnam Qayoom also makes a mention of Noor-ud-Din's diary in his Kashmir ka Siyasi Inqilaab, page 50, Vol 1: "A plan was devised to stage a similar drama to evoke strong public reaction in Srinagar. A Muslim constable was taken into confidence by the members of young Mans' Association, Jammu. Posters were kept ready. Constable Sheikh Muhammad Ismaiel accused his Hindu colleague of desecrating the Quran and violent protests broke out in Jammu and Srinagar."
The Reading Room Party and young Man's Association authored drama evoked the desired reaction in Srinagar. A series of lectures were delivered by Moulvi Abdullah Vakil, Munshi Naseer, Moulvi Bashir and Ghulam Nabi Gilkar. This is when Sheikh Abdullah was introduced to the public for the first time.
Abdul Qadeer's son, Abdul Saboor Khan, who is very much alive and lives in Islamabad, Pakistan talked to a Valley based columnist, Peer Mairaj-ud-Din in 2007. He said: "A function was held at Khankah-e-Moula on June 21, 1931. Muslims from all schools of thought participated. A large number of women also attended the function. The Muslim leadership forged unity. A committee comprising of seven members was formed to take the struggle forward. The members included Saad-ud-Din Shawl, Mirwaiz Moulvi Yusuf Shah, Mirwaiz Ahmadullah Hamdani, Aga Syed Hasan Jalali, Khawaja Ghulam Ahmad Ashai, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and Munshi Shuhab-ud-Din. When the leaders dispersed, my father appeared on the podium and started chanting slogans against Hindus."
In his fiery speech, Qadeer said: "Listen. Time has come when we have to act. Requests and memoranda will serve no purpose at this point of time. It will not end tyranny and it will not end desecration of Quran. Stand up upon your legs and fight the tyrant rulers." He pointed towards Raj Mahal (Palace) and said: "Raze it to the ground."
Qadeer Khan was arrested and put on trail inside the jail premises for security reasons. On July 13, twenty-two people who had assembled to express solidarity with Qadeer fell to bullets outside Srinagar central Jail.
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