Srinagar, Jun 16 (KNS): Scholars and activists on Sunday said that Shujaat Bukhari was an intellectual journalist and linguistic activist who mastered tradition of speaking truth to power and fought tirelessly for the upkeep of Kashmir identity.
A galaxy of scholars, poets and intellectuals on Sunday observed Shujaat Day at Conference Hall Poloview Srinagar organised by Adbi Markaz Kamraz J&K in colly with states Information Department where they discussed life and thought of Shujaat Bukhari on his first death anniversary.
Speakers in one voice said that Shujaat Bukahri was a hero of Kashmir who died hero’s death while up keeping the dwindling identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Senior Journalist Muhmmad Sayed Malik delivered a special Shujaat lecture during the event and discussed his professional and valour of speaking truth.
They said that Shujaat globalised the Kashmir identity and tirelessly fought for the upkeep the identity at grass root level.
Convenor Sahityia Academy Kashmir Advisory Board Aziz Hajini during his inaugural speech said that Shujaat was a man of emotions who keep the tradition of speaking truth to the power when people were using words with care.
“Shujaat worked tirelessly for safeguard the identity of Kashmir and always called spade a spade,” Hajini said.
“He was committed to the cause of Kashmir identity and his death was felt across the globe beyond communities,” Hajini said.
Hajini said that the best tribute to Shujaat will be to follow his mission and professionalism.
Senior journalist while delivering Shujaat memorial lecture on Shujaat's professional life said that Shujaat nourished his intellectual and professional inner when situation was not conducive to express ideas in Kashmir.
“He never compromised on the issues and followed the set parameters with a proper balance,” Malik said.
“Shujaat’s professional journey and his journey in keeping up cultural movement needs to take to the younger generation,” he said.
Malik said that Shujaat wrote history without claiming to be a historian.
“Everybody claims of writing history here but Shujat without writing history interpreted history in contrast to the tradition of judgmental history,” Malik said.
Sayed Malik said that Shujaat concretely substantiated issues without distorting facts while speaking truth on behalf of the public.
“He understood the requirements of his subject and used the requirements professionally,” Malik said.
Stating that Shujaat nourished Literary Journalism and Journalism of literature, Malik said that he has contributed a lot journalism and langistic movement and we should explore his contribution in a proper way.
Former Chief Secretary Shafi Pandith said that Shujaat always spoke lucidly and clearly the truth in a conflict ridden society.
“Shujaat symbolized and give meaning to many required things in politics, journalism, cultural and Society,” Pandith said, adding that Shujaat was a symbol of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat who globalised the Kashmir Identity.
“Shujaat always engaged Kashmiri diaspora in a proper way whenever there was a hostilely situation between India Pakistan,” Pandith said.
“He would always be at tenterhooks whenever he felt ill policy or propaganda against the Kashmir identity.”
Basharat Bukhari delivered an emotional speech and appealed poets and literary activists to give honour and respect to everybody worth of respect.
He narrated the shirt life history of Bukhari from child hood to death.
Convenor INTACH Saleem Beigh said that Shujaat strengthened the roots of linguistic and identity movement in Kashmir. He said that he had intellectual foresight and was thinking globally while caring for the identity of Kashmir.
Retired Justice Bashir Ahmed Kirmani while delivery the presidential address said that Shujaat kept the spirit of real journalism alive when every institution was loosing the breath in the strife torn Kashmir.
Shakir Shafi carried the proceedings of the event while President Adbi Markaz Kamraz Farooq Rafiabadi welcomed the guests while vice-president AMK presented vote of thanks. (KNS)