Speakers highlight his contribution to society, journalism
Srinagar: Rich tributes were paid to noted journalist late Ved Bhasin on his 88th birth anniversary on Monday with speakers hailing his contribution saying “he faced enormous problems from state for writing truth about Kashmir’
On the occasion, renowned expert on international and comparative politics, Prof Sumantra Bose delivered the Ved Bhasin Memorial Public Lecture-The End of the Secular state? Reflection on India and Turkey- at Tagore Hall here.
The lecture was organized by Kashmir Times Group of Publications on the 88th birth anniversary of Late Bhasin, former chairman and founding editor of Kashmir Times. Large number of people from different walks of life, attended the function, where a book, a collection of write ups of Bhasin, was also released.
Rich tributes were paid to the veteran journalist, human rights champion and his contributions in journalism, literature, social work were remembered. The book was released by Prof Sumantra Bose, Muhammad Sayeed Malik, veteran journalist, Anju Bhasin, vice chancellor Cluster University (Jammu), Anuradha Bhasin, executive editor Kashmir Times.
On the occasion, Bose recalled his association with Bhasin. He said it was because of his long informal interactions with Ved that he could understand Kashmir and related issues in a better way.
“Bhasin Sahib believed in certain principles and stood bravely for it. He raised his voice effectively against human rights abuses and was for justice with people of Kashmir,”he said.
The expert stated that Bhasin cherished the values of secularism and stood for it firmly. “Ved Ji we all knew stood for morality in his own profession of journalism. Ved Ji never compromised on his principals,” he added.
Bose called upon the secularists in both India and Turkey to re-invest their secularism for keeping the secular state alive. “New Delhi has not handled Kashmir in a right way. We all know what was being practiced in Kashmir in the name of secular state as Kashmiris are made prime exhibits and victims of the so-called secular state. Human rights abuse of Kashmiris by New Delhi was chronic,” he said.
Elaborating he said “does Hindu nationalism have any space for Kashmiri tolerance and rights, we will get to know soon,” he said.
In his address Muhammad Sayeed Malik recalled his association with Bhasin spread over decades.” Today is the birth anniversary of Ved Ji and death anniversary of Shamim Ahmad Shamim. Both close friends never compromised on their principles. Both of them were well read, fearless and fought bravely for what they believed in. Ved Ji faced enormous problems and challenges from state for writing truth about Kashmir. He faced threat to his life. Others who worked under him kept the principles of truth,”he said.
“Ved Bhasin was a man of conviction and above all had courage of conviction. All through his life he stood by certain ideals and stood by them firmly for that he had to suffer very hardships materially, physically and financially. He was man of great excellence in his profession. His knowledge was based on deep study,”Malik added. Saba Jamwal, the granddaughter of Ved Bhasin presented the vote of thanks.
Among others who were present on the occasion included senior separatist leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan and MLA Langate Er Rashid, human rights activist Parveena Ahanger, Justice (Retd) Bashir Ahmad Khan, civil society members Dr. Altaf Hussain, Dr. Javed Iqbal and Abdul Majeed Zargar.
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