FRIENDSHIP TURNED SOUR

1930s

Prem Nath Bazaz, a Kashmiri Pandit, testifies before a fact-finding commission that Muslims are discriminated under Dogra rule. Bazaz of Yuvak Sabha, a mainly-Pandit outfit, meets Sheikh Abdullah to bring the Sabha and Abdullah’s Muslim Conference closer. Bazaz is said to have influenced Abdullah into changing the Muslim Conference into National Conference (NC) to “secularise” it.

1940s

Fissures between the two over the ‘Language Controversy’ whether or not to make Urdu a subject for bureaucracy exams. Abdullah also unhappy with the space Bazaz gave to Abdullah‘s opponents like the Mirwaiz in his paper. Bazaz jailed in '47 for championing self determination as Sheikh with India’s backing forms government and self-determination could have destabilised him. Abdullah tells Nagin (another of Bazaz’s sons) that his father has the habit of going against the current. Externed from Srinagar, Prem Nath Bazaz settles in Delhi.

1950s

Pro-Pakistan sentiment rises in valley. Sheikh makes pro-Independence speeches to retain popularity. Sent to jail by Nehru. Bazaz defends Abdullah in a booklet and is jailed in Delhi. His home is raided.

1960s

Bazaz returns to Kashmir after 16 years in ’62. Now a Radical Humanist, meets old comrades in the valley, backs Abdullah who now plans to build campaign for Autonomy.

1970s

Indo-Pak war alters Sheikh’s stand, says accession with India is full and final. Bazaz differs. Bazaz maintains close relations with Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah. Takes active part in the 1977 elections for the Janata Party (joined by Mirwaiz’s Awami Action Committee) against NC. Rapprochement between Sheikh and Bazaz. Bazaz honoured by the Kashmir Academy of Art and Culture for his contribution as a man of letters. Bazaz is believed to have written the first comprehensive history of Kashmir’s freedom struggle.

1980s

Chief Minister Sheikh Abdullah dies in harness on September 8, 1982. Prem Nath Bazaz dies on July 9, 1984.