Prof. Dr.Ashraf Qureshi - An eagle's eye
Dr. Sheikh Waleed Rasool
I was chilled to the bone when there was buzz at 7:15 AM, the
identity on the display of phone directory was prone to me since decades as Prof.Dr Ashraff Quraishi. Keeping my breath, I responded Asalamu Alycum,
Sir, as usual, I was expecting “Kiassa Warry” it was routine practice he was reciting the verse of his new poem but strangely, there was
a long pause, which boggled my mind, then murmuring voice of lady sinked my heart in and I was choked up “she whispered ”, I am Aishia,
I have a gut feeling before she dredge up that her great father lost his breath I recited “Inna lilahi wa ina illay hi rajaoon” Indeed any
and every one has leave this universe it is utter reality.
Academician, Scholar, poet, author, writer, mega freedom fighter and icon of
resistance of Kashmir freedom movement Prof.Dr Ashraf Qurshi of Sikidaffar Srinagar the Ganga Hijacker and Chairman Deptt.of Kashmir studies Punjab
University- Lahore passed away in Rawalpindi on 2:15 Am today. He was 49 years old leaving behind two daughters and widow. It was simply the
miscarriage of justice that he couldn’t make peace with India hence was buried in Mirpur instead of Srinagar which was his destiny.
As
peeping tom he along with his cousin Hashim Qurshi Hijacked an Indian Airlines Fokker F27 Friendship on January30, 1971 aircraft named Ganga.The plain
was enrooted from Srinagar to Jammu while 30 passengers on board including crew was flown to Lahore, Pakistan were passengers and crew were released
and released back to home India via Amratasar after parlays with hijackers plain was burned on Feb1,1971. Pakistan initially received them with open
arms with warm welcome and reception so drew media attention on the hijackers as heroes of Kashmir conflict.The hony moon was over so tagged them as
conspirators and sentenced them while puting behind the bars of Dollay Camp Muzaffarabad and Lahore Shai Qilla charged with high treason. India
reacted harshly and imposed over flight ban in the run up to December 1971 war having formidable impact on the division of Pakistan and creation of
Bangladesh.
Dr. Ashraf Qurshi who was in teen age of 17 kept his feet on ground while keeping his eys open passed through harsh physical and
legal battle ultimately was put on trial before a Special Tribunal court comprising Mr. Justice Yaqub Ali Khan of the Supreme Court and Mr. Justice
Abdul Kader Sheikh, then Senior Judge of the Sind-Baluchistan High Court. The case started in December 1971 and after a long trial in which 1984
prosecuting and 1942 defense witnessed were called was concluded in May 1973 After a protracted trial, the tribunal acquitted his case and he was
released after seven years of imprisonment. The charge as traitor was washed by the judgment of apex court when an appeal was also submitted in
Supreme Court of Pakistan". Ganga Case was carried out under special presidential orders of the then President of Pakistan, Yahya Khan according to
which the accused were denied the right to appeal against the decision of this Special Court.
The legendry Ashraff Qurishi had great services
as Academician besides being silent and selfless actor of freedom. His entire family is an icon of resistance and his two brothers have laid their
lives. He maintained and introduced the Kashmiriyat in Pakistan and established the department in Punjab University Lahore were hundreds of students
have been awarded Masters, M.Phil and Ph.D in Kashmir studies .He is first Ph.D in “Kashmiriyat” who have kept the candle of education and
wisdom lightened.
He was ball of fire who have batten down the hatches, courageous and brave man having loins heart to speak eye to eyeball
with India and faced the torture and humiliation in Pakistan and never came to terms with either of country. He balanced the books and laid
foundation of Kashmir Studies in Punjab University in the heart of Pakistan serving and advocating the Kashmir cause he beated the clock as an noble
soul that his lost destny shall be the clay of mother nation Kashmir when he will lost his breath speaks volumes about his unfettered commitment,
devotion and determination.
The remarkable contribution in Academia is hidden aspect of his personality who came up smiling like roses, laid first
mile stone that pen is mightier than sword. He never utilized hijacking as dog and pony show, it is why he always hated the glamour and kept his
struggle continue unabated in teaching the wisdom and bravery.
Dr.Qurshi was nothing but skin and bones,more dead than alive since half a
decade, suffering from Park sons disease which crippled him but still he was not parasite on none. There were two more years of his service as
professor and used to attend the office regularly despite of health detritions and nod off, due to medication.
He never made bundle because his
attachment with his soil was embedded in his soul when he was down to the wire his legacy to be laid down in Kashmir as that of late Hameed Deewani
who was also buried in Mirpur because they were the sons of soil who always kept their promises and contributed selflessly. Alas! They were victim
from both sides of divide. They were booked as Hijacker and from other side of divide were leading on merry chase but for their nation they were icon
of resistance.
The things should not slide and the chance should not slip and hanged in air that the senior Kashmiris inhabiting either side of LoC
shall be passed via Chakotti and Chak-da bag crossing points as confidence building measure” CBM” The authorities in the helm of
affairs in Srinagar/Muzafarrabad shall join the forces should not lead the nose and shall go for legislation in this context as it is fundamental
human rights issue or at least dead bodies should not left high and dry while meeting last will and testament in land of nod.
In retrospect the
Kashmiris are facing the pain of divide since seven decades in pursuit to right to self- determination who have an itch to do something, passed prime
life in dreaming in flux in deep water while wall of Berlin was erected by design, ultimately breathed the lost, left the only legacy in tizzy hitting
the plateau finally turned the corner. Ashraff passed while carrying the pain and we are waiting ours term keeping knocking heart of
stone.
Waleedrasool@yahoo.com
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