R.A Inqulabi
The mountain of Jammu and Kashmir has produced many personalities who left their impression on the mind and hearts of the people for centuries. One of the sons of the soil was Haji Buland Khan who later on became a shining political figure of Tribal Community.
Today is the death anniversary of Haji Buland Khan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir pay rich homage to this great leader of marginalised and oppressed sections of society. He always worked for the people living in far flung areas and for downtrodden society. He is well known in every nook and corner of J&K state now Union Territory.
Haji Buland Khan was born on 1931 in village Thuru of Gool-Gulabgarh in a Gujjar family. His father’s name was Haji Noor Mohammad who was the Lumberdar of the area. He joined Government service in J&K Co-operative Department as an Auditor in the year 1955 and during the service he contributed tremendously in making co-operative movement vibrant and a great success. He resigned from his service on 12th of May, 1960 and with a resolve to fight against intimidation and injustice in the society. He jumped into social activities to bring relief to the suffering people by raising their voice. 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 tribes 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 Sahib 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.
He firstly met with Pt. Prem Nath Dogra who happened to be President of Praja Parishad and discussed with him in detail the problems faced by the general masses of his area and they chalked out the strategy for future plan . For the first time, he was elected Chairman of Panchayat Halqa Thuroo and remained so for 9 years. Meanwhile Haji Sahib in October, 1962 on the request of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah joined with him in the struggle of the state. During this period Haji Sahib was detained in special Jail and Central Jail, Jammu along with Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. He was first jailed on 19th of June 1965 and was arrested from Gool, district Udhampur and remained jailed for Six months in special jail Jammu. As representative of masses, he was active in politics for about half a century. But he continued his struggle against exploitation and injustice and it is quite consoling to note that at last his services were recognized and he led the mass movement from the front. Haji Buland Khan left for Hajj-e-Baitullah on 23rd December, 1967 through ship along with his father.
In July 1968 Haji Buland Khan Sahib invited Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Mirza Afzal beg in Gool-Mahore to have a first hand stock of the situation of the area but the visit was foiled by the Congress led Government of the time and they didn’t allow Sheikh sahib to stay in the local Dak-Bunglow for the night. Meanwhile Haji Buland Khan Sahib was threatened of life by the Government, but he didn’t pay any heed to that.
During 1977, Haji Buland Khan was elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Gool -Gulabgarh constituency on National Conference ticket for the first time. During the tenure of MLA, he worked with such dedication and determination that , he became a leader of masses of Jammu and Kashmir State. His consequent re-election to the State Legislative Assembly in 1983 and 1987 is result of popularity and patronage . He also worked as Member of the 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 marvellous 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.
During 1990-1996 the state remained under Governer Rule due to turmoil in the valley. In 1996, he decided not to contest elections himself and instead the ticket was given to his son Aijaz Ahmed Khan. However, the National Conference elected Haji Buland Khan as MLC on 16th of October 1996 and remained as MLC for 6 years. He also remained as Vice Chairman of Gujjar Bakarwal board for 12 years. First Gujar Bakarwal Conference was held at Eid Gah Jammu on 16th of April 1988 where in Dr. Farooq Abdullah was the chief guest. Later on he held Gujjar Bakarwal Conferences at Kathua, Udhampur, Sanasar, Patnitop, Thatri, Ramban, Kupwara, Srinagar and Jammu. He was instrumental in opening of Gujjar Bakarwal hostels in every district of the state. He foght for the cause of low paid employees , farmers , labourers , semi skilled workers of the state. He has also taken up the matter with the Govt of India for recognising / substituting the regional languages such as Dogri , Gojri in sixth scheduled of constitution of India . He also worked for the improvement of working in cultural academy. Haji buland khan has played a crucial role for development of backward communities of J&K state.
He also played a pivotal role in 2002 in getting the mandate of national conference in favour of Choudhary Talib Husain (ex-cabinet minister) who won the Jammu poonch Lok Sabha seat in bi-election of 2002. He also projected the problems faced by the Gujjar Community to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil.
He left this world on 6th of June, 2007 at his official residence Chashma-Shahi, Srinagar. Various social and political organisations condoled the sad demise of Buland Khan. He is the first Gujjar leader on whose death the Govt of Jammu and Kashmir decided to observe three days state mourning through out the state as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
The popularity of Haji Buland Khan can be imagined that In 2015 Ch. Ajaz Ahmed khan and Mamtaz Ahmed Khan both the sons of Haji Buland Khan were elected to Jammu and Kashmir State Legislatures Assembly from Gool Arnas and Mahor- Gulabghar Assembly Halqa .
The people of Jammu and Kashmir in general General and Gujjar and Bakerwal community in particularly demands that keeping in view the out standing services, contribution of haji sahib for poor and down trodden people of the state, Haji Buland khan shall be given Padam Vibhushan award and the name of Darmari Sub. Div in Reasi district be named as Buland Khan Sub. Division.
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