Dr. Sushil K. Sharma
As I sit down to write, four years after he left us, the feeling is still one of profound personal loss, not just for our family, but for a community and a region that he considered his extended home. Yashpal Sharma Saheb, as he was popularly known, was more than a former Member of the Legislative Council; he was a steadfast pillar of strength, a quiet philosopher of public service, and the compass that guided not only me, but countless others.
Born in Rawalkot (now in PoJK) in 1946 and uprooted by the storms of 1947, he carried the pain of displacement not as a burden, but as a motivation to rebuild not just his own life, but the lives of countless others finding refuge in camps. He embodied a profound lesson that a home is not just a place you live in, but a place you help create for others. While I chose the path of healing hearts through medicine, he dedicated himself to healing the social fabric through empathy, justice, and tireless advocacy.
Educated in law at the University of Jammu, he was deeply influenced by thinkers who spoke of equality and justice. It was a conviction he often reflected upon in later life that “Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought.” This belief animated his most defining moment, the landmark 1978 Poonch Agitation. Leadership was not a role he sought; it was entrusted to him by a generation seething under systemic unfairness and the denial of equal opportunity. He stood with them, faced immense pressure, and with remarkable moral courage, ensured that merit triumphed over patronage. This was more than a local victory; it was a restoration of faith for thousands of families. As the noted regional historian, Shri K.D. Maini, has documented in his work ‘Poonch: The Battlefield of Kashmir’, this movement was a watershed in the socio-political awakening of educated youth, with Yashpal Sharma as its quiet yet resolute architect. The agitation’s resonance, however, revealed deeper structural grievances. The respected political analyst Shri Balraj Puri noted it was “a spontaneous protest in the whole of Jammu region, which indicates a deeper problem. It was not merely a protest against a loss of an innocent young life or against the alleged irregularity in the recruitment of teachers in Poonch district. The intensity of popular reaction only indicates that the discontent was much deeper.” Its historical significance was further cemented when it led to the appointment of the Justice Sikri Commission, which formally acknowledged discrimination and favoritism in development, employment, and education across regions – a finding later corroborated by Shri Jagmohan, Former Governor of J&K, in his reflections on regional imbalances.
His formal political journey, as President of the Poonch Municipal Council and later as an MLC, was characterized by a relentless focus on urban development, sanitation, and civic amenities. Yet, his true impact was forged in the personal realm through listening patiently to the grievances of the marginalized, visiting to remote hamlets, and ensuring that the whispers of the unheard became voices in the corridors of power. This earned him the affectionate titles of Chacha and Sher-e-Poonch.
In a political landscape often vacillating between narrow parochial interests at the altar of ethics, his ethos was centred on people, not power. He navigated the complexities of Jammu and Kashmir politics with a rare commitment to consensus and community harmony, even during periods of intense duress in the form of ceasefire violations, terrorism, and major security operations like Sarpvinash. His credibility across communities was most strikingly demonstrated in the 1983, 1996, 2002, and 2008 assembly elections, most notably the 2002 assembly elections, where he secured approximately 27,000 votes in a constituency with only 9,000 Hindu and Sikh voters.
In his later years, he turned his focus to preserving the cultural and religious heritage of Poonch, which had suffered due to turmoil on the borders, terrorism and neglect. He spearheaded the renovation of ancient temples-Bagachi Temple, Nath Ji Temple, Gita Bhavan, Khakha Naban-and most notably, the construction of the iconic Nav Greh Temple, now a centre of faith and spiritual tourism. He also built community halls, notable among them being the Dashnami Akhara Community Hall, which stands as a physical testament to his vision of creating spaces for social cohesion. His efforts towards cultural reclamation have emerged as hubs for social and religious gatherings, and as centers of healing in a borderland marked by turmoil.
To me, he was like the venerable Deodar tree of our Himalayas, deeply rooted in the soil of Poonch, unyielding against the harshest winds, and offering shelter and solace to all in need. At home, he was simplicity personified. His greatest lessons were silent-a life of integrity, an ear for the unheard, and a heart that never measured help by caste or creed. Even during my medical journey, his advice was always the same: “Serve as if every patient is family.”
The void his departure created is permanent, yet so is the light he kindled. He showed us that leadership is about lifting others, that faith is built through action, and that the truest legacy is a life dedicated to the service of others.
As his younger brother, and on behalf of our family, I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who loved him, worked with him, and keeps his memory alive. Your stories of his kindness are the greatest tribute to his life.
(The author is Head, Department of Cardiology, GMC&SSH, Jammu)
