Zabeer Ahmed Bajjar
With the passage of time, everything may it be a matter or materialistic world vanish out but what remains alive through the ages is the great contributions and sacrifices of the great social reformers. Indian history has witnessed several types of social reformers whose contributions have too been scripted in the national and international historical texts but when we think about such outstanding personalities, the name of Late Haji Buland Khan of Village Thuru, District Reasi J&K, a very sincere, hardworking and devoted leader of masses who was not only the Gujjar leader but he also strived for the welfare of all communities, comes to our mind.
Today is his death anniversary and we pay rich homage to this great leader of marginalised and oppressed sections. Haji Buland Khan, a social stalwart, was born at village Thuru in Gool-Gulabgarh in 1933. After completing his formal education, in 1955, he joined as Auditor in Co-operative Department of J&K Govt. During the short stance of Govt. service, he had contributed remarkably in making co-operative movement vibrant and a great success in remote and far flung areas of Pir Panjal Region despite stiff resistance from the then business community which was also enjoying political patronage. Moved by the pathetic conditions due to abject poverty compounded by exploitation perpetuated by those in power at that time in Gool Gulabgarh, he resigned from govt. service in 1960 and resolved to fight against intimidation and humiliation thus jumped into social activities to bring some relief to the suffering people by raising their voice. Deeply touched by the miseries and desolation of his community, he then launched his political struggle. For the first time he was elected Chairman of Panchayat Halqa Thuru and remained so for about 9 years. Meanwhile, he also joined Plebiscite Front in October, 1963 at the request of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and was elected President for Reasi and retained this post till 1973. During this period, as Plebiscite Front activist, he was detained in special Jail and Central Jail, Jammu. In the year 1974, he was elected Vice President of Plebiscite Front for Jammu Province.
In 1977, Haji Buland Khan was elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Gool -Gulabgarh constituency for the first time. During his first term as MLA, he worked with such humility and determination that within no time, he became a favourite leader of masses not only in the Pir Panjal region but whole of Jammu and Kashmir State. His consequent re-election to State Legislative Assembly in 1983 and 1987 is testimony to the popularity and patronage he earned during that time. He also worked as Member of the Central Working Committee of the National Conference and as Vice President for Jammu Province. He was made Vice Chairman of the State Advisory Board for the development of Gujjars and Bakerwals in 1986 where from he resigned in 1990. For his stupendous contributions, he was nominated to the Upper House of State Legislature as Member of the Legislative Council in the year 1996. He was again appointed as Vice Chairman of the Advisory Board for the development of Gujjars and Bakerwals, in 1997 and continued on this post till his last breath.
A multi-faceted personality, after quitting govt job, he had amazingly worked to transform socio-educational condition of weaker sections particularly his own community, the gujjar and bakerwal. He underscored the significance of education and guided his tribe men to get their children educated and also brought awareness against various social evils confronting the tribal communities those days. He was the person who educated the people of far flung areas about their rights of citizenship and also made them aware about their rights and duties for the nation. Challenging the conditions and forces of his time, he began his mission with enlightenment of the masses, particularly the youth. His commitment for emancipation of his people became so distinct that his tribe men particularly the youth and students drawn from all over the state often approached him for amelioration of their grievances. Haji Buland Khan also made his people aware about politics which prompted them to struggle for their political rights. He had widely travelled and was well conversant with the plight of neglected clan.
During the second half of the 20th Century, he became much admired leader and he reached out to the people of his community at each nook and corner of Jammu and Kashmir State. He was daring leader who fought from front for the plight of Gujjars and Bakerwals and thus also received an overwhelming support of his community in streamlining the socio-political system of Gujjar community.
His demise in 2007 caused a serious jolt to the Gujjar movement in J&K State and it became very hard to fulfil his cherished dreams. But it is very important to note that he was such visionary personality, the during the time of his active political life, he also focussed to prepare the second line after him to transfer the rich political legacy.
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