Dr Kapil K Sharma
Since my school days, I very well remember that Oct 16, Oct 17, Oct 18 were celebrated as Black days by the student community of Jammu. During these days there used to be a students protest and classes were called off because of strike. This trend is still going on but intensity is less now.
I still remember that I used to ask my seniors and elders reason behind this annual Black days practice. The answers I received were very vague. What I understood was few college students were shot dead by police on those days due to some agitation. Now, after so many years when a lot of water has flown under the bridge, I decided to figure out what really had happened in the year 1966 which lead to observance of “Black days of Jammu”
Jammuites must have seen Samadhi (shahidisthal)at the premises of GGM science college Jammu. It is situated right infront of main gate of Science College. Names of four young men are engraved at this memorial. The names are –
– Brij Mohan Sharma
– Subhash Chandra
– Gulshan Handa
– Gurcharan
On that day these four young men sacrificed their lives for the cause of Jammu.
It’s very ironical that almost everybody has forgotten the names and cause for which these sons- of the-soil sacrificed their lives.
Here I feel very privileged to enlighten my fellow Jammuites regarding the true history behind 16th, 17th, and 18th October.
If today, we have, what is called SKUAST (Agriculture University and Veterinary College at R S Pura and Chatha) at Jammu, it is because of sacrifice of these above mentioned heroes. What happened was nothing new. SKUAST was alloted to Jammu but as usual it was shifted to Kashmir. Feeling cheated, the students launched a protest. Here I would like to mention that this protest was headed by Professor Bhim Singh. He was a student leader at that time. During this mass agitation the Government of the day used brute force and as a result these four young men were shot dead. Their sacrifice made the Government to concede the demand and hence birth of agriculture college took place in Jammu.
This is the history behind those fateful days. But my thirst for more information just did not quench. I wanted to dig it little more so that I could share some more facts and realities with Jammuites.
I went on to meet family of late martyr Brij Mohan Sharma was residing at Mastgarh in old Jammu city. He was fourth among five siblings. Two brothers and three sisters. His parents late Sri Padamnabh Sharma and Smt. Kaushlya Sharma were basically from Panthal near Katra.
His three sisters namely -late Mrs Chanchal Sharma, Chanderkanta Dogra and Anil Sharma are married and happily settled.
Martyr Brij Mohan’s elder brother now resides at 39 BB Gandhi Nagar. When I met Mr. Ram Prashad Sharma who has retired from PWD, his eyes went numb. He didn’t want to go through that trauma again. On my repeated requests he agreed to share the memory of that fateful day. He told me that he will share his memories but hic picture should not be published. I happily agreed to his precondition.
He told Brij Mohan’s nick name was Gojja. He was a very handsome, fair young man. Gojja was an extremely spiritual person. His spiritual persona was so powerful that even today’s Navyogendera Swamiji of ISCON feels no hesitation in admitting that it was Brij Mohan who guided him to take sanyas. Navyogendera Swamiji was his first cousin.Gojja was very sensible,quiet and shy sort of person. His parents were so assured of him that they seldom worries about him.
He was darling of three sisters. Eldest sister Mrs Chanchal Sharma was like mother to him and she always missed him even at the time of her death three years back.
Talking of that day, Ram Prasadji narrated: On 16th October Gojja met everybody before leaving for college. He was Pursuing BSc. God knows why that day he sought permission from me to wear my socks which permitted happily. Later when reached his office at BC road, came to know about firing at students. immediately rushed towards the hospital. I first checked the wounded, Gojja was not among them. He felt relieved thinking his younger brother must have reached home by now. Thought of his death never crossed my mind. While returning, from the corner of his eye he noticed the body of a handsome young boy whose face was covered with blood and beyond recognition.
But when I saw the socks he wore, heavens fell down. The body was of my younger brother. Mr. Ram Prasad Sharma did not narrate anything further as he broke down and his wife Rama Sharma requested me not to probe further.
So friend this is the story of late Brij Mohan Sharma who sacrificed his life for the cause of Jammu. I wish whenever in future you pass by science college or SKUAST do remember those young men. Their martyrdom should no be forgotten.
(The author is Dental Surgeon Dept. Of Health and Medical Education)
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