Skip to main content
Sabrang
Sabrang
Politics

Tributes pour in on veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari’s second death anniversary

Bukhari, the founder of Rising Kashmir, was shot outside his office on June 14, 2018

Sabrangindia 15 Jun 2020

Death  AnniversaryImage Courtesy:greaterkashmir.com

Tributes poured in from several literary and social organizations on June 14, the second death anniversary of Shujaat Bukhari, founding editor of Rising Kashmir and a veteran journalist known for his unflinching and courageous journalism who highlighted the plight of the Kashmiri people at a global level.

Greater Kashmir reported National Conference President Farooq Abdullah as saying, “I pay my tributes to all those journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty. On this day, I particularly remember Shujaat Bukhari sahib; the jinxed providence of our state robbed us from a bold voice in his shape. I pray for peace to his soul and much needed strength to his family and friends.”

Vice President of the National Conference, Omar Abdullah paid tribute saying, “Shujaat Bhukari was a brave son of the soil. There is a lot which the young budding journalists can emulate from his life and works. His voice may have been silenced but his writings will continue to guide the steps of new journalists,” Greater Kashmir reported.

His colleague, Nazir Ganaie paid him a musical tribute by dedicating a song – Darvesh Kot Dar Khawab Gov, as he remembered him on his second death anniversary, reported Rising Kashmir.

Members of the Kashmir Press Club held an online meeting to pay tribute to Bukhari and said that they supported his family and the journalist fraternity in demanding an impartial investigation into the events leading up to his death, Kashmir Age reported.

Tributes also poured in from commoners from Twitter, who remembered Bukhari for his courage and as a defender of human rights.

 

 

Shujaat Bukhari was assassinated outside his office on June 14, 2018 by unknown gunmen. Two of his security guards were also killed in the attack. Recounting the incident, Kashmir Life reported how Shujaat was pumped full of bullets two years ago, on the last day of Ramzan. He was on his way to attend an iftaar party when he and his security personnel were repeatedly fired upon by three assailants. He was shot on the same day that the United Nations had called for an independent evaluation of human rights violation in the now Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Shujaat, who completed his schooling from Sopore Degree College, pursued journalism from Manila University. He started his media journey from the Kashmir Times and went to start Rising Kashmir in 2008. Not only was a fearless journalist, he served as a President of Adbee Markaz Kamraz, a literary and cultural organization that worked to promote Kashmiri language and culture.

In 2016, of the dangers to journalists, Shujaat had said, “Threats to life, intimidation, assault, arrest and censorship have been part of the life of a typical local journalist.” Sabrang India had written about how Shujaat was the missing link between the outside world and the dark alleys of Kashmir which to this day, remain clouded with atrocities and human rights violations. He had survived three assassination attempts on previous occasions.

Two years later, the investigation in his assassination has not progressed and the motives behind the act still remain unclear. The investigation started by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) which issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, asking for a detailed report in the matter, too has reportedly not met with any conclusion. Though the world has lost of one of journalism’s greatest faces, Bukhari’s kindness, courage and passion to reveal the truth will never fade with time.

Related:

Shujaat Bhukari – a Brave Reporter, a Real Journalist
Thousand Tears, not Enough
Remembering Shujaat Bukhari’s Fearless Journalism
NHRC orders probe in journalist Shujaat Bukhari’s murder

Tributes pour in on veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari’s second death anniversary

Bukhari, the founder of Rising Kashmir, was shot outside his office on June 14, 2018

Death  AnniversaryImage Courtesy:greaterkashmir.com

Tributes poured in from several literary and social organizations on June 14, the second death anniversary of Shujaat Bukhari, founding editor of Rising Kashmir and a veteran journalist known for his unflinching and courageous journalism who highlighted the plight of the Kashmiri people at a global level.

Greater Kashmir reported National Conference President Farooq Abdullah as saying, “I pay my tributes to all those journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty. On this day, I particularly remember Shujaat Bukhari sahib; the jinxed providence of our state robbed us from a bold voice in his shape. I pray for peace to his soul and much needed strength to his family and friends.”

Vice President of the National Conference, Omar Abdullah paid tribute saying, “Shujaat Bhukari was a brave son of the soil. There is a lot which the young budding journalists can emulate from his life and works. His voice may have been silenced but his writings will continue to guide the steps of new journalists,” Greater Kashmir reported.

His colleague, Nazir Ganaie paid him a musical tribute by dedicating a song – Darvesh Kot Dar Khawab Gov, as he remembered him on his second death anniversary, reported Rising Kashmir.

Members of the Kashmir Press Club held an online meeting to pay tribute to Bukhari and said that they supported his family and the journalist fraternity in demanding an impartial investigation into the events leading up to his death, Kashmir Age reported.

Tributes also poured in from commoners from Twitter, who remembered Bukhari for his courage and as a defender of human rights.

 

 

Shujaat Bukhari was assassinated outside his office on June 14, 2018 by unknown gunmen. Two of his security guards were also killed in the attack. Recounting the incident, Kashmir Life reported how Shujaat was pumped full of bullets two years ago, on the last day of Ramzan. He was on his way to attend an iftaar party when he and his security personnel were repeatedly fired upon by three assailants. He was shot on the same day that the United Nations had called for an independent evaluation of human rights violation in the now Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Shujaat, who completed his schooling from Sopore Degree College, pursued journalism from Manila University. He started his media journey from the Kashmir Times and went to start Rising Kashmir in 2008. Not only was a fearless journalist, he served as a President of Adbee Markaz Kamraz, a literary and cultural organization that worked to promote Kashmiri language and culture.

In 2016, of the dangers to journalists, Shujaat had said, “Threats to life, intimidation, assault, arrest and censorship have been part of the life of a typical local journalist.” Sabrang India had written about how Shujaat was the missing link between the outside world and the dark alleys of Kashmir which to this day, remain clouded with atrocities and human rights violations. He had survived three assassination attempts on previous occasions.

Two years later, the investigation in his assassination has not progressed and the motives behind the act still remain unclear. The investigation started by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) which issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, asking for a detailed report in the matter, too has reportedly not met with any conclusion. Though the world has lost of one of journalism’s greatest faces, Bukhari’s kindness, courage and passion to reveal the truth will never fade with time.

Related:

Shujaat Bhukari – a Brave Reporter, a Real Journalist
Thousand Tears, not Enough
Remembering Shujaat Bukhari’s Fearless Journalism
NHRC orders probe in journalist Shujaat Bukhari’s murder

Related Articles

Communalism

Saffron Bigotry threatens Muslim existence in India

Brazen mobilizations by hate driven outfits, unchecked by law enforcement and the state have generated fear in the Muslim community, a fear that has turned inwards into more restrictions for Muslim women

Communalism

Saffron Bigotry threatens Muslim existence in India

Brazen mobilizations by hate driven outfits, unchecked by law enforcement and the state have generated fear in the Muslim community, a fear that has turned inwards into more restrictions for Muslim women


Sunday

03

Jan

Pan-India

Saturday

05

Dec

05 pm onwards

Rise in Rage!

North Gate, JNU campus

Thursday

26

Nov

10 am onwards

Delhi Chalo

Pan India

Theme

Stop Hate

Hate and Harmony in 2021

A recap of all that transpired across India in terms of hate speech and even outright hate crimes, as well as the persecution of those who dared to speak up against hate. This disturbing harvest of hate should now push us to do more to forge harmony.
Taliban 2021

Taliban in Afghanistan: A look back

Communalism Combat had taken a deep dive into the lives of people of Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. Here we reproduce some of our archives documenting the plight of hapless Afghanis, especially women, who suffered the most under the hardline regime.
2020

Milestones 2020

In the year devastated by the Covid 19 Pandemic, India witnessed apathy against some of its most marginalised people and vilification of dissenters by powerful state and non state actors. As 2020 draws to a close, and hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers continue their protest in the bitter North Indian cold. Read how Indians resisted all attempts to snatch away fundamental and constitutional freedoms.
Migrant Diaries

Migrant Diaries

The 2020 COVID pandemic brought to fore the dismal lives that our migrant workers lead. Read these heartbreaking stories of how they lived before the pandemic, how the lockdown changed their lives and what they’re doing now.

Campaigns

Sunday

03

Jan

Pan-India

Saturday

05

Dec

05 pm onwards

Rise in Rage!

North Gate, JNU campus

Thursday

26

Nov

10 am onwards

Delhi Chalo

Pan India

Videos

Communalism

Bastar violence: Anti-Christian Campaign causes breach in Adivasi unity

Hundreds of Adivasi church-goers across villages in Narayanpur and Bastar, Chhattisgarh have been experiencing boycott, intimidation and violence since December last year, forcing them to leave their homes and live in refugee camps. Reportedly, Adivasi districts across Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh is seeing a rise Hindutva mobilisation against Christians .

Communalism

Bastar violence: Anti-Christian Campaign causes breach in Adivasi unity

Hundreds of Adivasi church-goers across villages in Narayanpur and Bastar, Chhattisgarh have been experiencing boycott, intimidation and violence since December last year, forcing them to leave their homes and live in refugee camps. Reportedly, Adivasi districts across Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh is seeing a rise Hindutva mobilisation against Christians .

IN FACT

Analysis

Stop Hate

Hate and Harmony in 2021

A recap of all that transpired across India in terms of hate speech and even outright hate crimes, as well as the persecution of those who dared to speak up against hate. This disturbing harvest of hate should now push us to do more to forge harmony.
Taliban 2021

Taliban in Afghanistan: A look back

Communalism Combat had taken a deep dive into the lives of people of Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. Here we reproduce some of our archives documenting the plight of hapless Afghanis, especially women, who suffered the most under the hardline regime.
2020

Milestones 2020

In the year devastated by the Covid 19 Pandemic, India witnessed apathy against some of its most marginalised people and vilification of dissenters by powerful state and non state actors. As 2020 draws to a close, and hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers continue their protest in the bitter North Indian cold. Read how Indians resisted all attempts to snatch away fundamental and constitutional freedoms.
Migrant Diaries

Migrant Diaries

The 2020 COVID pandemic brought to fore the dismal lives that our migrant workers lead. Read these heartbreaking stories of how they lived before the pandemic, how the lockdown changed their lives and what they’re doing now.

Archives