Om Prakash Saraf
When I was 19, Balraj Puri was just 13 –both teenagers- when we made our first acquaintance as journalists for the first time, 51 years ago. Interests and pursuits usually associated with the age-group, never seemed to matter for us. From Day One we found ourselves in the thick of discussions for hours together regarding the ebb and flow of the freedom movement in the context of the on-going Second World War. He was soon to start his own weekly Pukar and write war diary for Ranbir bi-weekly. I do not remember precisely when we became political companions. Looking back now it seems somewhat amazing that we had such a prolonged harmonious personal and public companionship. Difference have arisen between us. His qualities of head and heart helped us to maintain our cool, never to air even strongly felt opinions in public and eventually to discover many pleasant shades between the black and white. I think this is a miracle and all credit due to him. Words really fail me when I try to appraise such a multi-faceted personality. Volumes will be required to underline his contributions. In his small-frame like Lal Bahadur Shastri was truly concealed a human dynamo with boundless energy for all constructive causes which may not be always be popular. He was profoundly knowledgeable on Kashmir affairs and understood the problems facing Muslims and other minorities in the sub-continent, His concerns for the minorities in his own homeland made him the foremost fighter for ‘autonomy’ of Jammu within an autonomous Kashmir’. His role in Post-Independence renaissance of Jammu won universal recognition.
Balraj Puri blended his activism with journalism and scholarly pursuits with distinction and was a rare person who could do that so brilliantly. While he was humble, humane in professing his ideas and formulations he was equally courageous whenever situation demanded him to stand for his principles and ideals. I have been a witness to that. He remained a voice of reason and rationality in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir amidst all tumultuous events, and he never compromised. Sometimes standing alone, he was able to take a public position with a rare courage and consistency.
He had an original mind and frequently commented on myriad set of issues facing the country. His work on minorities in India is original and continues to advance our understanding about their political, social and economic aspirations of the communities. I am confident that his seventy-year work and activism would continue to inspire future generations and guide them to tread a path which is destined towards building a more equitable and just India.
Balraj Puri’s life is a perfect example that how intellectual genius and passionate activism is a necessary pre-requisite for strengthening democratic ethos of a country. And this will enable his work to remain at the centre-fold as a guiding post whenever India’s future relationship with the state and with respect to its minorities will be re-examined and evolve continually as it should happen in a working democracy.
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