‘Identifying role of Sardar Patel in Kashmir’s context pivotal to history’

Srinagar, Nov 19: Historians, political commentators and veteran Journalists, who took centre stage at the launch of Congress leader and former Union Minister Saifuddin Soz’s book “Sardar Patel aur Kashmir”, on Wednesday said that the former Deputy Prime Minister of India and political stalwart Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a multi-faceted personality, who played a crucial role with regard to Kashmir’s political affairs.

Veteran Journalist Mohammad Sayeed Malik, who addressed the gathering at the event said Prof. Soz’s book was an appreciable effort aimed at reflecting a key aspect of history. Malik said it was “not a mere book but a detailed document.”

While highlighting parts of Prof. Soz’s book, Malik recollected the complex relations Patel shared with Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, adding that the two differed on several issues.

“Mahatma Gandhi played a larger role with regard to the way Kashmir became a pressing point in the history of the Indian sub-continent. Sardar Patel was the Union Home Minister then and had his own responsibilities. Similarly, Sheikh Abdullah’s stature served its own purpose but Patel and the Sheikh often did not meet a common ground,” said Malik.

Making a passing reference over Article 370, the veteran Journalist said “there should have been a permanent place for it etched in the Constitution, rather than leaving it open for interpretation, which meant that it had to go.”

Sharing his experiences, Saifuddin Soz said book writing was such a task that quite often an author himself is undecided on the topic on which the book would be based. Soz said he arrived at the conclusion to write on Sardar Patel only after he realised that there was no dedicated book on the “Iron Man of India” from Kashmir’s perspective.

“As far as Pandit Nehru is concerned, people in Kashmir know him quite well. The nuanced relations between Nehru, Maulana Azad and Sardar Patel are important to Kashmir’s political history. Sardar Patel was a candid and forthright person, while Sheikh Abdullah as per me is a hero of history, whom I look at beyond the National Conference’s existence,” said Soz. He said the book carries both an appealing aspect as well as the “unpleasant side”, with which Patel was viewed in political and social circles of the country.

Addressing the gathering at the event, Political Analyst, Noor Ahmad Baba said penning down the book by Prof. Soz, “which primarily addresses our issues is a good literary initiative.”

“Sardar Patel was not a socialist but bit conservative and sympathetic towards Hindutva. We should always remember that individuals are important but the circumstances around them are equally crucial. This book brings out that side of Patel,” said Baba.

Heritage conservator and historian, Mohammad Saleem Beg said Prof. Soz’s life has been full of challenges, adding that “it was pleasant to know that his longing for Kashmir has led the former Union Minister to focus on a personality such as Patel in the context of Kashmir.”

In his address, Prof. Gul Mohammad Wani said in the book, Prof. Soz had followed political pluralism.

“It is this pluralism or Kashmiriyat which has shaped up Soz sahabs perspective in the context of Kashmir and the rest of India. He has maintained academic neutrality,” said Wani.

Apni Party President, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, who was also present at the book launch congratulated Prof. Soz for making an effort to write on an important subject.

The speakers at the book launch event highlighted that after 1947, there was a debate on the fate of Kashmir, recollecting that Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah had himself admitted that Sardar Patel “had told him to find a way to be with Pakistan.”