Amid charged political atmosphere for Lok Sabha elections, fourth death anniversary of Abdul Gani Veeri, a political stalwart from South Kashmir is being observed in his hometown in Bijbehara.
Veeri represented the Bijbehara constituency for three consecutive times and was closely associated with the Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah during the plebiscite movement. He is said to have played a pioneering role in the Quit Kashmir movement.
Veeri’s during his teenage was introduced to the idea of democratic rule in Kashmir and he associated himself with the local Kashmir brigade.
Along with the cadres of the National Conference, Veeri was incarcerated several times during plebiscite demand. From early on in his political career, Veeri was known to make unconventional moves.
His involvement for the Kashmir cause can be gauged from the fact that Mr. Veeri could not visit his home for 14 years from 1950. He was first jailed along with the Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah in early 1950s. Later he was released from the jail in late 1950 and then he joined the plebiscite front which was launched by Mirza Afzal Beg in 1958.
Veeri, according to the family members, were deeply attached to the core idea of National Conference that he declined several lucrative offers to change his political lineage. Offers such as big chunks of land and a huge amount of money were regularly made to change the political parties.
Members from the opposition groups tried so hard because Veeri was a mass leader. His radical political following made him defeat senior politicians like Mufti Mohammad Sayyed.
Veeri’s ground support was formed on the basis of the developmental work he carried in his home constituency. His vision of development has been so beneficial that a huge chunk of land has been bought under the irrigation and canal systems for agricultural practices.
Only for few leaders even the words of his rival political opponent aptly describes the character and honesty of mass leader like Veeri, when Mufti Sayeed said, “ Veeri Sahab was always connected at the grassroots level and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of downtrodden and weaker sections of the society”.
