Suhail Dar
On Monday, hundreds of locals in Bijbehara marked the 10th death anniversary of Abdul Gani Shah Veeri, a towering figure in the region’s political history and a stalwart of the Plebiscite Front.
Known for his humility, deep-rooted integrity, and unyielding commitment to his ideals, Veeri’s life continues to resonate in the memory of those who knew him and the generations that followed.
One of the most remarkable chapters of his life came in the aftermath of his release from prison in the late 1950s. Rather than returning to his home in Veeri, he chose a path few would have dared: a 14-year self-imposed exile from his village.
It was his quiet form of protest against the prevailing political conditions, a symbolic gesture that underscored his loyalty to the cause of Kashmiri self-determination.
“For Veeri, home could wait—principles could not,” said one of his former associates.
He told that Veeri was not merely a man of slogans or sacrifice. “He was a leader rooted in the soil of South Kashmir, especially in the Bijbehara belt, where he walked among the people, listened to their grievances, and became a part of their everyday struggles.”
Veeri earned the trust of his constituents not through power, but through presence. His politics was not confined to speeches or manifestos; it lived in the fields, lanes, and gathering spaces of the villages he served.
His journey was not without consequence. He faced imprisonments due to his steadfast support for the Kashmiris. Yet, with every arrest and each setback, his resolve only grew stronger.
It was this resilience that helped him win the trust of the people of Bijbehara, who elected him as their representative to the Jammu Kashmir Assembly three times consecutively—in 1977, 1983, and 1987.
Ten years after his passing, Abdul Gani Shah Veeri is remembered not just as a political leader, but as a man who lived by example—walking long paths in silence, speaking only when it mattered, and standing firm when it was most difficult.
“Remembering Khawaja Abdul Gani Shah (Veeri) Sahab — former Minister, MLA Bijbehara, a towering political figure from South Kashmir, and father of @DrVeeri, Hon’ble MLA, Bijbehara — on his 10th death anniversary. His legacy of public service and principled leadership continues to guide and inspire,” the chief minister of Jammu Kashmir tweeted remembering the former MLA Bijbehara.
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
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