Image 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.
Our tribute to the glorious person, who always treated all of us at @RisingKashmir newsroom like his own kids. In my 13 years association with Shujaat, I always saw him wearing a big smile despite whatever pressures and ups and downs he would have been facing in his pro life. https://t.co/hZSaDdbcHc
— Nazir Ganaie (@Nazirkashmiri) June 13, 2020
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: The journalist of a common man
Shujaat was more than a journalist. He was the voice of oppressed, hope of suppressed, the pen of exploited & the opinion of concerned. He was the champion of human rights and the diplomat of Kashmiri cause. https://t.co/imxxMBso9d
— Indian Muslims (@_IndianMuslims) June 15, 2020
#JusticeForStudents&K Media Association headed by Arshid Ahmed Mir (JK Media General Secretary hold a peaceful protest at Press Colony Lalchowk Srinagar & said in front of media that it is second death anniversary of Shujaat Bukhari ,solidarity with shujaat’ s family pic.twitter.com/PVVgTrWOmJ
— Arshid Mir (@ArshidM36610517) June 15, 2020
Two years exactly since Shujaat Bukhari, a fine journalist, was shot down in #Kashmir – remembering him + respect for all Kashmiri journalists who seek to tell the truth without fear or favour
— Andrew Whitehead (@john_pether) June 14, 2020
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.
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