Gujjars demand to re-name Degree College Kangan to recognize his contribution
Ch. Rashid Azam Inqlabi
Today is the third death anniversary of Veteran Gujjar leader and Padma Bhushan awardee, Mian Bashir Ahmed, who passed away on 14th of august evening at his native village Wangat Kangan, in Ganderbal District. On 15th, of Aug 2021 the valley swamp with vehicles as people were moving to Wangat (Kangan) popularly known as ‘lar Sharief’, for the last glimpse of their religious and spiritual saint. ” Mian Bashier Ahmed Larvi” who left this world for his heavenly abode on 14th of August around 8.40pm .The Nimaz e Janaza of Mian sb was held in absentia in many other parts across the valley and Border too. Mian Bashier was the only Gujjar from sub continent who has the privilege /honour to address the united nation where Mian Sahib presented the case of India in UNO and described Mulk e Hind (India) as the epitome of peace , diversity and communal Harmony. Mian Bashier stressed the need to create an environment of friendly and cordial relations with other countries. He described India and Pakistan as two brothers and advocated the phrase of harmony. He consistently strived to establish strong bond of communal harmony and co-existence across the country. The speech of Mian Bashier Ahmed Larvi impacts many hearts and Minds across both the countries India as well as in Pakistan. The grandfather of Mian Sahib Jb. Abdulla Larvi migrated from Province of “Hazara” Pakistan to “Wangat” Kashmir India in 19th century on the decree of his religious saint/Peer known as “Mian Nizam Din Kiyanvi”. And got settled in the lap of hills and green jungles at Wangat, Kashmir in about 1880.
Mian Bashir Larvi who is popularly known as “Baba Sahab” in Kashmir believed in a spiritual vision of life and he always stood by his vision. He promoted such values throughout his life among his immediate disciples, general followers and his well wishers. He relentlessly strived for social equality among the masses in general. Mian Sahib was a multi-dimensional personality who led the Gujjar and bakerwals community of J&K in particular, in social, spiritual, religious, economic and political realms.
His philosophy, teachings and life will continue to inspire the people across the country.
Early childhood: Mian ji was born in 1921, at Pehalnar, Ganderbal to Mian Nizam-ud-Din Larvi (RA) . He received his early education locally from Molvi Abdullah Sahib and Molvi Ibrahim Chatergulli. After receiving the elementary lessons in Urdu, Arabic and Persian , at home. Once Mian Bashier Ahmed sahib at the age of about 3 years fell seriously ill. Then Mian Abdulla sahib (grandfather) took him in Chilla Kothri (prayer room) and prayed and chanted this verse
“lam lakh kramatan hure pechha …phle dian asderi var peera” after few hours Mian Bashier Sahib recovered and was as healthy as ever. That was the time of his enlightenment.
Politics: Mian Sahib was elected to Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir (MLA) in 1967, 1972, 1977 from Kangan Kashmir province and 1983 from Darhal assembly constituency in Rajouri District of Jammu province . Mian Bashier was only leader of Jammu and Kashmir who win all the election which he has contested with huge majority, further he is only leader who has fought the election from both the province Kashmir and Jammu and remained elected . Mian Bashier also served as Minister in Sheikh Abdullah’s Cabinet in 1971 , 1977 to upto 1980 . In 1980, he resigned from sheikh Mohd Abdullah’s cabinet for his resentment for not providing due share to his tribe in Cabinet and supported the congress party and in 1984 Mian sahib contested election from Dehral constituency in Jammu province and declared elected with huge majority . .
A Tribal (Gujjar) Religious Leader Mian Bashir Ahmad was the most influential Gujjar leader of Jammu and Kashmir. He will be remembered in history of sub continent as, religious and social leader and leader of Gujjar and Bakarwal tribe who have great flower in both the part of divided Jammu and Kashmir . He remained associated with top leaders of the country including Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi Giani Zal Singh , Venkata Raman. Indira Gandhi visited the Shrine of Baba ji Sahib at Wanghat during her visit of Kashmir in 70’s. Mian sahib canvases for Indira Gandhi in Rai Behleri during the Parliamentary election , because Mian Sahib has good number of follower among the Gujjars of Rai Barari, and Indira Gandhi got elected with huge majority. In Jammu and Kashmir he was closely associated with prominent leaders of J&K, like Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah, Mir Qasam and Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, Girdhari Lal Dogra, Pt. Tarlochan Datt, Mangat Ram Sharma, Abdul Ghani Lone, Lala Shivcharan Gupta, Sanam Wangchok, D.D. Thakar. Babu Parmanand and Master Beli Ram of Nowshera.
Later , he left the active politics and solely devoted himself to his spiritual role, preaching and other branches of religious education. The people approached Mian Sahib to settle the dispute(kachari) among the Gujjar Bratheri , and Mian Sahib settled the issue in very fair manner. In the kachari/ jirga .people accept the verdict given by Mian Sahib with open arms due to which people save their time and money and disputes among Gujjar and bakerwals resolved amicably.
Felicitated with Padama Bhushan Award.
In 2008 Mian Bashir Larvi was conferred with the third highest civilian award “Padam Bhushan” by Government of India, for his outstanding contribution and service towards tribal Gujjars, Bakarwals and other downtrodden groups of society. During 1947, 1965 and 1971 India-Pak wars, Mian Sahib had proactively worked for peace in Jammu and Kashmir and had helped in rehabilitating thousands of people in tribal and border Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir . celebrated. While speaking on a function organized by Gujjar officer association at press club jammu in 2008 Mian Sb said that Padam Bhushan Award is not only for my Gujjars and Bakerwals of jammu and Kashmir but it goes to crores of Gujjars living in eleven States of India and crores of my followers who belongs to Hindu , Muslim, and Sikh religion also and assured that he will continue to work for social justice, human rights, peace and prosperity of the State. Stressing the need that people of India and Pakistan have to work as a bridge in order to create an environment of friendship and cordial relations between the two countries, a Prominent saint has urged the need to have positive so that the environment of hatred and suspicions comes to an end. Two south Asian countries will create an example of peace and mutual brotherhood. And I was privileged to be part of this function as stage secretary. Mian Altaf Ahmed Member of Parliament from the Anantnag/Rajouri seat (younger son of Mian Bashier Ahmed) addressed the gathering and thanked the participants for remembering the contribution of Mian Bashier Ahmed Larvi on 3rd death anniversary.
The various Social and Cultural organizations demanded that the name of Degree college Kangan be kept as Mian Bashier Ahmed memorial Degree College Kangan in recognition of social service of Mian Bashier Ahmed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
