For his supporters, National Conference founder Sheikh Abdullah remains the tallest leader and the “lion of Kashmir”. After starting his political career in the 1930s, Abdullah went on to become a key figure in state politics.
But it was in 1946 that Abdullah truly came into the prominence when he raised his voice against Maharaja and led the “Quit Kashmir” agitation against him.
Two years later, he became the prime minister of J&K after the Maharaja signed the instrument of accession with Union of India. However in 1953, Abdullah was accused of conspiring against the state and arrested. Five years later, he was tried under “Kashmir conspiracy case” and jailed for 11 years.
Abdullah gave up his long struggle in 1975. He returned to the politics and agreed to his demotion to the chief minister of erstwhile state of J&K, a move described by many as the beginning of his downfall in the politics.
Born in a middle class family in Soura locality of Srinagar on December 5, 1905, Abdullah continues to be the “architect” of people’s sufferings for his detractors.
When Kashmir became a part of India in 1947 after Maharaja signed the instrument of accession, Abdullah, as the most popular leader, lent his support to the deal.
Till his death, he commanded respect among a section of populations including his supporters. That was evident when lakhs of people joined his last journey in 1982.
After his death, the government declared December 5 a public holiday. On that day every year, the National Conference, led by Farooq Abdullah, holds a function at his mausoleum on banks of Dal Lake in Hazratbal.
The government would also pay tributes to Abdullah on the day. Last year, when J&K was under the direct rule of the Centre, Governor Satya Pal Malik had said Abdullah was a social reformer who “fought for rights of the oppressed people and strived for sustenance of secular and pluralistic values”.
This year, however, Lieutenant Governor of J&K UT, G.C. Murmu decided against issuing any statement or paying any tributes to Abdullah, as head of the state.