Ghulam Rasool Azad -a life

Ghulam Rasool Azad- A life Sadaket Malik It was a little movement in 1916, which India was veering its struggle by way of Lucknow pact, and mass movements,

a

freedom

fighter,

educationist, and an epitome of peace and amity-Ghulam Rasool Azad was born in remotest and improvised village of Bhalessa Doda to pave a way for nation.

Azad was one of the most renowned educationists in J&K. Hailing from a peasant family, he went on to study till post graduation and took up teaching soon after. He was part of the National Conference. Batt descent popularly known as Zagoo family which migrated to the Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh while a few factions stayed in Bhalessa's Soti village.

The family at Soti took up peasant work. Ghulam Rasool Azad was born in the year 1916 to this peasant family. There were only two schools then in Bhalessa - the Primary school Kilhotran and the 1

Bhaderwah Amar Singh school. Azad's father Kh. Khazra Batt sent him to

both.

In the 1924, when Azad sahib was seven and half year old he was enrolled in the only Primary school at Kalgoni, it was during the reign of Raja Amar Singh the whole Bhaderwah including

Bhalessa etc was

refered to as “Bhaderwah Jagir”.

At the same time Primary school Kilhotran was headed by Master sita Ram of Nagar Bhaderwah who begin the basic educational journey of late Azad. Owing to the immediate transfer of Master Sita Ram, Azad spent maximum days at home due to the scarcity of teacher at only Primary school Kilhotran. After a couple of weeks, Master Anroud Sing of Khaljugasar (Only teacher of Bhalessa tarrian of that time) joined the school and nurtured several tiny tots including late Azad. The transportation and literacy was predominant in this period. The only children who were sent to this primary school along with late Azad were, Late Abdullah Khan (who became an eminent Poet of the area), Ghulam Mohammed Batt, Ghulam Mohammed Kumhar, Nizam ud Din, Abdul Aziz Batt, Musa Batt, Moti Ram, Chand lal, Mangtoo Rather, Ghulam Mohammed Akhoon, and Ahmdullah Mir. Sula Mir, Gula Mir, Din Mohd. Malik, and Ahmdullah Rather.

In Bhaderwah schooling, late Azad suffered due to typhoid and remained hungry more then two months (as per the ritual at that time).

Later Azad was treated by Hari lal Mehta.

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Owing to the acute illness, Azad failed the sixth examination, but he continued his education. Umer Din Malik, who also belonged to Bhatyas area of Bhalessa tarrian was in Bhaderwah emerged

First muslim

Graduate of the Chenab valley.

However, Azad, was re-enrolled in sixth class in Amar singh high school Bhaderwah as a mark to continue his studies. It is believed that Azad make a mind to left his studies to loo after the household activities After passing sixth class examination, he stayed at home.. But when result came, Azad got second position in the examination. This paved a way to their parents and relatives to send him for further studies. Upto Matrictulation, Azad got same positions in the school till 1935. The leadership qualities started developing. Azad went on to Prince of wales college Jammu to persue his studies.

Azad passed his Primary schooling and was further sent to Amer singh High school Bhaderwah for sixth class, owing to the zeal of his father Khazra Batt to educate late Azad.

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, Khairast Mohammad Ibne Rassa Ex. Vice Chancellor of Lahore University of Pakistan to his right & Gh. Rasool Azad and Professor Ummer Din Malik.

In his journey as student in Prince of wales college, he came to contact with Professor Girdhari lal who taught him mathematics at BA level for four years. Azad had a great influce of Professor Girdhari lal in his mind. Professor was also publishing a News Magazine of the college entitled “Tawi”. And Azad used to write his articles on “freedom of India from the infamous british rule”. Owing to this sprit of patriortisma and nationalism that emanate from Azad, the College administration enthralled..! Professor got impressed by his “Azadi” related articles and sprit. Keeping his patriortic sprit in mind Professor Girdhari lal Gupta named him “Azad” since then Azad apt to live here in the remotest

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areas, one of such Azad’s is Ghulam Nabi Azad” who drived the descent name of Ghulam Rasool Azad (uncle).

During his time, the country was dotted with several bottlenecks to push the engliushman back from the holly soil, Azad was enrolled in Lahore’s prastigiuos “Islamia College” in 1939 and was influenced with the great leaders like Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Maulana Azad and many more. The environment of the mind altered in total and Azad started developing leadership qualities that were galvinised by several students and teachers of Lahore islamia College. He was entrusted a responsibility in Punjab University students Federation. There were only two students one was Azad and aother Noor Din from Jammu and Kashmir in this college and rest of the students of the state used to go Banaras and Aligarh.

After completion of studies at Lahore, Azad returned to home Bhalessa, and in August 1941, he was teacher in Amer singh High school till 1945. In June, 1945, he was sent to B.T training at Jammu’s Prince of wales college (Present day Gandhi Memorial science college).

During the period of training, he was opporunate to vist Delhi and Agra.

After completing BT, he was appointed as Teacher in Ranbir Hr. sec school Jammu in 1946.

A quit Kashmir movement was its head high in 1946, Jammu Provincial teacher’s Association’s convention was convened at Ranbir

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High school. Azad participated in the deleberations of the convention and enthralled the audiences for the nationalistic bent of mind and was made Senior Vice president of this Association. Azad worked at Pay grade of 50-2-25. The salary was Rs. 47/- .

The association under his leadership enlisted several demands of the teachers and pleaded the cause of teachers of the whole state. But the state was under the jolt of mass movement, the quit Kashmir movement, and was headed by the then Prime Minister, Ram Chand Kak, who starred proceedings against the leaders like, Shiekh Mohammed Abdullah, Maulana Mohammed Sayed Mausudi, Sardar Budh Singh, Mirza Mohd. Afzal Begh, Shyam Lal saraf, Sardar Sant singh, D.P Dhar. Comrade Tirlok chand and Comrede Krishan Dev sethi, were also prey of arrest.

At this juncture, it was imposible to put an eye on the demands of the teachers. Lo and behold, Azad started acting as a President of the teachers Action committee and intensified their struggle. Teacher Association was banned by Kak shahi government. In connection with the Token strike of the association headed by Azad, governemt swung into action to dismiss all the activists of teachers organization from the government service. Azad wrote in his Biography,’

“After a gap of months, with regard to the dismissal of five members of action committee including me (azad), we were invited to

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the residence of Education Minister, Ganga Ram and Director Education, Molvi Ibrahim on the directions of Prime Minister Ram Chand Kak to appologise before the government regarding the hartal, we were also given assurance that they will be inducted in high posts.

We all the

dismissed members of the action committee refused to

appologise and offers made by the Kak government” Azad started social activities and remained in association with several political brass and freedom fighters of the time. It was the time that india was at the apex to gain its freedom on the one hand and communal frenzy on the other hand. Azad acted as a catalyst in binding the hindu’s and Muslims together.

India got its freedom from English rule and at the same time hindu muslim disharmony seemed its head high even in Jammu region. On 26th October, 1947, state’s assession was made with India

by Maharaja Hari singh. Prime Minister Ram Chand Kak was dismissed from Primer ship and Thakur Janak Singh and then after a couple of days, Lala Mehar Chand was made Prime Minister of the state. The Teacher association met the General secretary of Lala Mehr chandand made him abreast of the demands and objects of the organization. The dismissed teachers made him familiar of

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their plight,

On

26th

October,

of

1947,

after the release of Sheikh from

Abdullah Bhaderwah

jail. Later he was appointed as head of the administration of the state.

Azad in Dogri Association Jammu

Azad met Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and all the teachers services were resumed. Azad was sent to S P High school srinager in 1947. after serving for two weeks in this school, Azad was elevated as Chief Adinstrative Officer Bhaderwah.

It was revealed that hindu muslim disamity is still prevailing in some areas of Doda, so there was a need to look after them. Azad here acted as a cornerstone for ending the communal environment from these areas.

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In June 1947, Azad was appointed as Inspector of Mirpur with headquart Nawshehra. In march 1950, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah was addressing the rally at Rajouri, while quoting Azad, he refered,”

“Jin hukumraanu ki kismet achi hoti hai, unko Azad jaise officer milte hain” Keeping in mind his political and social bent of mind, he was appointed General Secretary National Conference in 1947 and in 1948 he was appointed as Assistant Inspector of Schools for Rajouri, Nowshera and Poonch. During this period, he visited every school and reached every teacher for educational advancement. In 1950, Azad was appointed as Field Publicity Officer, Jammu. From 1949-51 he was District Vice President National Conference of Rajouri. In the same period, he was appointed PA to the Director Education. He was appointed a member of the All J&K General Council NC. His top priory was to look after the welfare of the people, and for this he won a special place in the hearts of poor people.

He was once deputed to England for a DAATP training course, which introduced him to educational institutions in the UK, England, Wales, Scotland, Belgium, Thailand, West Germany, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, USA and France. After his return

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from England, he was appointed to analyse the economic conditions of Doda, Poonch and Rajouri in 1956.

He was appointed as principal of the Government Higher Secondary School, R S Pura, in 1956-1957. This was the only higher secondary school in Jammu region.

Later, he resigned from service soon after and contested election on the behalf of teacher fraternity.

In 1955, he founded the All Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Teachers' Association. From 1955-69, he pleaded the cause of teachers. In 1958-59, 1959-60, and 1960-61 he remained vice president of the All India Federation of Education Profession.

In 1961,he was one of the delegates attending the 10th Conference of the World Confederation of Organisations of Teaching Profession for the cause of education.

He worked on important positions like Inspector of schools, and Directorate of Education, Principal Govt. Degree College Bhaderwah, and special Officer of the Government. Later Member of the Legislative council.

Ghulam Rasool Azad was very sensitive over the issue on Kashmir. As a freedom fighter, he pleaded the cause of minority community and shouted for Hindu Muslim relations. The fact reveals 10

that he is not in the history owing to his belonging from improvised Jammu region. Even sheikh sahib himself once pointed that “if Kashmir region can produce leaders like Azad, like of Jammu region, it may go a long way to help in achieving the slogan of Naya Kashmir”.

(Agur Subha Jammu ki tarah Subha Kashmir main Ghulam Rasool azad paida hota, to mumkin tha, ki maire khuwaboon ka naya Kashmir tamer hota”.)

Azad opposed the prevalent Propaganda of heartedness disseminated by the political forces of that time. Moreover his policy on Kashmir was quite clear that he advocated that the issue should not be put in isolation.Azad being a renowned journalist wrote in his owned weekly

“Dahr” where he opposed the foreign imperialism and the atrocities and discrimination meted by the Muslim minority.

He opined that:-

“Kashmir is a commodity discovered from where? Is it discovered from Aligarh to Jamsheedpur to Ranchi, Ahmedabad to Kanpur or Jabulpur to Sagar or Nagpur, from Indore and samba ?”.)

As per his analysis, the issue has been discovered from the central departments and military, department of posts and Railways and Banks and has finally discovered here in Jammu and Kashmir

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He was sensitive over the central government’s faith towards the minority of Bihar, UP, Delhi, Bangal, Maharashtra, Gujrat and Orrisa and suggested the centre for Justice with the community. He was of the opinion that be it the central government or the stations of chauvinism, these be stopped and ultimately the Kashmir issue will be stopped.

However, such an ideology of Azad, was endorsed by the BJP leader Sh. L.K Advani on 21st of June 1990 in Calcutta during his speech like this:

“ Over the years, instead of looking upon the Muslims as part of Indian masses, the congress by its actions, has segregated the community and turned it into an instrument of electoral politics by talking about the so called “Muslim Voters”.

Azad’s Perception of Kashmir Problem: 1. He advocated that Kashmir issue should not be taken in isolation.

It is deeply connected with the insecurity and deprivation of the muslims of India who are most deprived, the most discriminated and the most oppressed and suppressed community in the country.

2. Military in Kashmir is the symbol of the assertion of Muslim Identity in India. It should be recognized and dealt with as such.

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Azad asserted the elimination of internal factors responsible for the problem, the problem actually was a discrimination and injustice confronted to the minority community. He advocated that the external factors like of Pakistan’s interference can be ended only if the Government of India can take care of the internal factors responsible for the Kashmir issue. Azad viewed that even if all the militants are wiped from the valley and there is no militancy left in the state, the Kashmir problem will still remain with ferociousness on account of the unprecedented sacrifices made by kashmiri’s till a just political solution is arrived at and stopping the bullet for bullet policy adopted by Militants and Indian soldiers.

In a letter to Ghulam Nabi Azad on 30th August 1992, Azad wrote: “We are all sick. The most painful events and aweful situation in the state

have made us all sick and most miserable and every one longs for a solution of the Kashmir problem, an honorable and Just Political solution”.

Today, the need of Azad still felt in our jammu region. The activists of the present time should follow his methodology for making the society egalitarian and ensure harmony and corruption free society that the Azad advocated.

Sadaket Malik is a freelance Columnist and is usually contacted at sadaketmalik@rediffmail.com 13