Puja Raina Mahaldar
In the bustling lanes of Anantnag town in 1982, a quiet handshake between two young trade unionists would go on to mark the beginning of a powerful camaraderie rooted not in personal ambition, but in a shared dream for the welfare and dignity of low-paid Government employees in Jammu and Kashmir. One of them was Bhushan Lal Mahaldar fondly remembered by his peers as an honest comrade, a principled leader, and a deeply humane individual who never wavered from his ideology or his people.
Born on 8th December 1948, Mahaldar spent his early life in the cultural and ideological heartland of Kashmir. A committed trade unionist from his early days in government service, he played an instrumental role in shaping the Jammu & Kashmir Low Paid Employees Federation (JKLPEF); a movement born out of necessity to challenge exploitation, improve working conditions, and give voice to the voiceless. His leadership style was marked by calm resolve, ideological clarity, and an ability to listen deeply; a trait that made him both approachable and respected across departments and districts.
From his base in the Agriculture Department in Shalimar to union halls across Srinagar and Jammu, Mahaldar, along with a strong cohort of comrades including Sh Sampat Prakash, Haji GH Nabi, Mohan Lal, Gul Mohd Ganie, PN Handoo, Surya Prakash, GH Mohidin, AB Majid Mir and others, built a resilient framework for advocacy. He remained closely aligned with the Communist Party’s working-class values, believing deeply in unity, dialogue, and the power of organised action.
His comrades remember nights spent in government quarters, poring over documents, debating policy proposals, and strategising ways to push back against opportunistic forces within and outside the movement.
As his fellow Comrade Veer ji Raina, a long-time associate, recalls: “We acted jointly in every meeting, every struggle. His ideological understanding was sharp. He never compromised, even when it meant standing alone.”
Whether it was demanding regularisation of casual employees, securing better salaries, or fighting for the dignity of those in horticulture and power sectors, Mahaldar never sought the spotlight. His quiet determination, however, often became the rallying force that brought hundreds together across regions, departments, and even communal divides.
After the tragic exodus from Kashmir, when many connections were lost to time and geography, Mahaldar remained undeterred. He continued to be active from Delhi NCR, actively forming welfare associations and community forums to help displaced Kashmiris stay connected to their roots and help needy with monetary support. Many of such forums are still active in DelhiNCR.
In many ways, he represented a generation of selfless reformers whose stories remain largely undocumented. These were individuals who didn’t seek headlines or recognition. They chose to act, not amplify. But it is because of silent warriors like Mahaldar that today’s government employees in Jammu and Kashmir are seen, heard, and protected.
At a time when history risks forgetting those who built its foundations, it is vital for the younger generations of Jammu and Kashmir, especially those in public service to understand whose shoulders they stand on. The trade union rights and platforms that many now take for granted were once distant dreams, forged through relentless dialogue, unity, and sacrifice.
“He never gave up on people. Even in exile, he believed in organising, in building, in standing together,” says a former colleague.
A true supporter and family man, Mahaldar moved to Mumbai in 2022 to be closer to his children. He spent the final years of his life in Thane, where he remained as spirited and committed as ever. It was here, on 15th July 2025, surrounded by the warmth of his family and far from the snowy valleys of his youth, that he left his soul closing a remarkable chapter of service, struggle, and solidarity.
His dedication earned deep respect from across the trade union and political spectrum. Comrade Mohammad Maqbool, President of the J&K Coordination Committee of Trade Unions and National Secretary of the All India Government Employees Confederation, shared:
“Comrade Mahaldar was a very honest, cooperative, and dedicated comrade, free from ego and self-interest. His leadership was always people-first.”
One of the most heartfelt tributes came from Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, Senior CPI(M) leader, Central Committee Member, and MLA from Kulgam, who was a close friend and ideological ally of Mahaldar:
“Bhushan Lal Mahaldar’s contributions to the progressive and trade union movement in Jammu and Kashmir will be remembered for years to come. He remained committed to the cause of the working class throughout his life,” said Tarigami in a condolence message. “His passing is a personal loss. He was more than a comrade; he was family.”
To those who knew him closely, Mahaldar was not just a trade unionist but a companion in cause, a leader with humility, and above all, a man of unwavering character.
As Comrade Mohammad Maqbool aptly said:
“He was a very honest, cooperative, dedicated leader without any ego or self-interest. A true comrade.”
While the Federation he was part of as a founding member may not be formally active today, its legacy and Mahaldar’s indelible contributions live on in the rights secured, the lives uplifted, and the principles upheld.
In the words of a Veer Ji Raina who stood beside him for four decades:
“We may not have worked together in our later years, but emotionally and ideologically, we were always united.” Today, as we remember Bhushan Lal Mahaldar, we also honour an era; an era of principled struggle, quiet sacrifice, and enduring impact. Let this not be just a eulogy. Let it be a call to remember, to record, and to respect the foundations laid by those who fought not for power, but for justice for being fair to everyone.
(The author is a seasoned journalist and communications professional)
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