Role of Kashmir in India’s Freedom Struggle
✍️ Lieutenant. Preeti Mohan
A One-Day National Seminar was organized at the Government Degree College, Anantnag on
the theme of ‘The Role of Kashmir in India’s Freedom Struggle’ on 19-06-2023. The seminar
was organized by the Centre for Advanced Research on Development and Change in
collaboration with Government Degree College, Anantnag and Think India.
Shri Ashutosh Bhatnagar, a renowned writer and a senior journalist (an expert on Jammu and
Kashmir), and also Director, Centre for Advanced Research on Development and Change was
the Chief Guest on the occasion. In his lecture, Shri Ashutosh Bhatnagar, said that the Colonial
rule had begun when Vasco-Da-Gama arrived in India in the year 1498. He highlighted how
European looter and plunderers came to India in the guise of merchants. He said that Vasco-DaGama kidnapped some ten merchants and killed them during his first visit. His intention was to
loot, and not to trade.
the welcome address. In his address Prof. Bhat highlighted the role of various Kashmiri freedom
fighters including Sarvanand Kaul Premi, Giridhari Lal Dogra, Maqbool Sherwani, Brig.
Rajendra Singh, Prem Nath Dogra, Kanta Wazir, Ghulam Nabi Mir, Hakim Abdul Rashid,
Prithvinath Kaul, and urged the audience to recognize and celebrate the role of these unsung
heroes. He said that the Campaign Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav gives us a chance to remember all
those people who contributed to the freedom struggle of our nation.
College Anantnag delivered a lecture on the topic – ‘Role of Kashmiris in Freedom Struggle’. In
his lecture, Dr. Kowser mentioned how British colonialists were prejudiced with the notion that
India may never possess a unified nationalist feeling, as it was a diverse country divided into
various regions and cultures. But Indians proved them wrong. Nationalism under the guidance of
Mahatma Gandhi reached every part of the country. Dr. Kowser, highlighted the role Kashmiri
freedom fighters (in particular from Anantnag, viz. Sarwanand Koul Premi, Dina Nath Zadoo,
Kanti Chandra Zadoo, Mir Abdul Majid, Saif-ud-din Kichloo, amongst others). Dr. Kowser
emphasized that in spite of the participation by Kashmiris in the freedom struggle of India, these
stalwarts have not been given their due place in the context of Indian nationalism in the
textbooks. Kashmiris never were politically isolated from Indian Nationalism. The Indian
nationalism studies (conventional historiography) have only focused on the major figures,
leaving out the smaller regions and local leaders (as in Kashmir). Dr. Kowser reiterated the
importance of giving the Kashmiri freedom fighters their due place at national level, and
concluded his lecture by saying that every nationalist should be celebrated and documented.
and Prof. Farooq Ahmad Malik, Staff Secretary, Government Degree College Anantnag,
Convener of Debate and Seminar Committee and Coordinator of the programme were among the
dignitaries present on the presidium.
session. Token of appreciation was also presented to the Mr. Numeer Ahmed for moderating
the programme, and to Mr. Burhan for his contribution. A formal vote-of-thanks was presented
by Dr. Naveen Hakhoo, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Geology, Government
Degree College Anantnag. A galaxy of experts, faculty members and students participated in the
programme.
