JAMMU & KASHMIR :
According to an enduring Islamic tradition, when the Prophet Muhammad performed his final pilgrimage, he distributed strands of his hair among his followers. These relics, imbued with profound spiritual significance, found their way to different parts of the world, where they have been venerated ever since. Kashmir, too, became a custodian of one such relic, thanks to the efforts of Nooruddin Ishbari, a trader who is credited with bringing it to the region.
The arrival of the relic in Kashmir is well documented in the region’s history, its journey marking a watershed moment for the valley’s spiritual and cultural life. G. N. Gouhar, in his book Hazratbal: Central Stage of Kashmir Politics, explores this pivotal chapter in detail. He writes that the relic was believed to have transformed the spiritual status of Kashmir, elevating it to the esteemed rank of Medina, the sacred city of Islam. This belief earned Hazratbal, the shrine housing the relic, the title Madinah-ul-Thani—the second Medina. The sentiment is immortalised in a Persian saying popular in Kashmir: Kashmir Madina Be Shad-az Moi Nabi (“By receiving the Prophet’s hair, Kashmir has achieved the status of Medina”).
Over the centuries, Hazratbal has come to symbolise not only spiritual devotion but also political power in Kashmir. The holy relic has imbued the shrine with unparalleled authority, turning it into a focal point for the valley’s socio-political dynamics. This was starkly evident during the infamous theft of the relic in December 1963, an incident that shook the valley and remains one of the most dramatic episodes in modern Kashmiri history.
The theft triggered widespread protests and an outpouring of collective grief. Demonstrations engulfed the valley as people from all walks of life demanded the relic’s recovery. The incident brought Kashmir to a standstill, uniting communities in a rare display of solidarity. The relic was eventually recovered, but the episode had already exposed the deep-seated vulnerabilities in the region’s socio-political fabric. It underscored how intertwined faith and politics had become in Kashmir, with Hazratbal often serving as a stage for larger geopolitical struggles.
The shrine has witnessed some of the valley’s most contentious events, including two sieges in the 1990s. During one of these, 22 militants laid down their arms, while another standoff resulted in the killing of 33 militants. These events reinforced Hazratbal’s dual identity as a sanctum of spiritual significance and a hotspot of political contestation.
A vast body of literature exists on Moi Muqaddas (the Prophet’s hair) and Hazratbal, detailing its arrival in Kashmir and its significant role in the region’s social and political life. However, this extensive literature falls short of explaining the paradoxical nature of the 1963 holy relic theft movement and its impact on the social and political consciousness of Kashmiri Muslims at the time.
The theft of Moi Muqaddas from Hazratbal on 27 December 1963 sparked widespread outrage and played a pivotal role in shaping the social and political consciousness of Kashmiri Muslims. Prime Minister Nehru termed the incident a “national tragedy” and later praised DIB B.N Mullick for his efforts in recovering the relic and saving Kashmir for India.
It is in this context that Khalid Bashir Ahmad’s book, “Kashmir: Shock Fury Turmoil, Theft of Prophet’s Relic Outrage and Spin Off”, makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature. The book lucidly brings to the fore the complexities of the 1963 holy relic theft movement and its far-reaching consequences.
Khalid Bashir Ahmad’s book is arguably the first authoritative account of the 1963 holy relic movement. Adopting an academic approach, the book provides a critical examination of the movement, shedding light on its profound impact on Kashmiri Muslims, both politically and socially.
The book comprises 14 chapters, excluding the introduction and conclusion. It meticulously chronicles the journey of the holy relic to Kashmir, its theft in 1963, and the subsequent fallout. Ahmad also explores how the incident galvanised Kashmiri Muslims’ demands for self-determination.
In the succeeding chapters, Ahmad delves into the significant political authority wielded by Hazratbal, examining the intricate social, political, and sacred dynamics between Moi Muqaddas and the people. He reveals how Kashmiri Muslims revere the relic, seeking blessings for their health, employment, marriages, and other aspects of their lives.
The book also discusses the formation of the Action Committee, which brought together two rival factions, the Mirwaiz and Abdullah families, in their demand for the recovery of Moi Muqaddas and the punishment of those responsible. Ahmad recounts how the two families engaged in a blame game, ultimately leading to their fallout.
The book provides a detailed examination of the political developments in Kashmir during the tumultuous period of 1963-64. The author recounts how the government collapsed, prompting a complete shutdown of the region. Government offices, schools and other institutions were closed, while hundreds of thousands of people braved the harsh winter weather to assemble on the roads.
The author also describes how makeshift langars, or free food stalls, were set up on the roads, as life in the region came to a grinding halt.
In chapter nine, the author explores the various conspiracy theories surrounding the theft of the holy relic. These theories implicate a range of individuals, including Bakshi, Abdullah and even Pakistan. The author reveals how Bakshi was accused of destabilising the government, allegedly to secure a special permit for his ailing mother. Similarly, Sheikh Abdullah was blamed for orchestrating the theft to facilitate his own release from jail, with the government insinuating that Pakistan was involved through agents such as Pir Maqbool Gilani.
Despite the scarcity of archival material on Kashmir, Ahmad has produced a seminal work on the region, drawing on newspaper archives, books, interviews and other literature. The book offers fresh insights into the Kashmir conflict, particularly during the holy relic theft period. Ahmad’s scholarly endeavour deserves considerable acclaim.
Kashmir: Shock Fury Turmoil, Theft of Prophet’s Relic Outrage and Spin Off, provides a nuanced examination of the Holy Relic Theft, deftly charting its multiple dimensions. Furthermore, this book serves as a valuable companion for anyone seeking to comprehend the intricacies of the holy relic movement.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob Media.com / Home> Bookshelf / by Faizaan Bhat / December 18th, 2024