The Remarkable Legacy of Prem Nath Bazaz in Kashmir
Prem Nath Bazaz, the son of a journalist, made a significant impact on the political landscape of Kashmir. His influence on Sheikh Abdullah led to the renaming of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference to the National Conference, paving the way for Pandit participation. Despite his Pandit heritage, Bazaz eventually aligned himself with the Muslim Conference.
In 1932, he established the daily newspaper Vitasta Kashmir and later co-founded Hamdard with Abdullah. However, their partnership soured as Bazaz transformed Hamdard into a platform supporting the Muslim Conference, leading to conflicts with Abdullah and the National Conference.
In a startling turn of events, Bazaz survived an assassination attempt in 1947, but the individuals responsible were acquitted under Abdullah’s emergency administration. Subsequently, Bazaz himself was arrested and imprisoned for three years. During his exile in New Delhi, accusations arose that Pakistan had funded the construction of his residence.
Sheikh Abdullah’s autobiography portrayed Bazaz as a politically astute individual with a penchant for justice but criticized him for inconsistency and greed. Bazaz, in turn, championed the idea that Kashmir’s fate should be determined by its people, not external forces.
Despite facing opposition within his own community for his anti-injustice stance, Bazaz continued to advocate for Kashmiri rights. His opposition to the 1975 accord between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah led him to align with Mirwaiz Farooq’s Awami Action Committee, further emphasizing his commitment to justice.
Renowned figures like Muhammad Ali Jinnah recognized Bazaz’s potential to unite Kashmiri Pandits in national politics. Bazaz’s writings also highlighted the complexities of religious dynamics within the National Conference and foresaw the consequences of unmet aspirations among Kashmiri youth.
Born in 1905, Bazaz had a lasting impact on Kashmiri politics, with his son Bhushan carrying on his legacy. Bazaz’s pragmatic approach towards the end of Dogra rule fostered unity between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims, a unity that unfortunately remains elusive in present times.
