Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 8: A one-day seminar titled “Sufi Saint and Statesman: The Life and Legacy of Padma Bhushan Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi” was organized at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
The event, held at the auditorium of the School of Social Sciences, witnessed a packed gathering of scholars, students and community members. The seminar was organized under the banner of the Gujjar Bakerwal Tribal Academic Forum, JNU, under the leadership of Assistant Professor Dr Naseeb Ali Choudhary.
Member of Parliament (MP) Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi attended as the chief guest, while eminent educationist Prof Ahmad Qadoos Javed presided over the session. Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu and Dean at JNU, Prof Amitabh Mattoo, was present as special guest.
In his inaugural address, Prof Amitabh Mattoo described Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi as a people-centric leader, noting that he was not only a prominent political figure but also a refined literary personality deeply engaged with intellectual and cultural pursuits. He highlighted Mian Sahib’s simplicity, compassion for the poor, patriotism and commitment to social harmony.
Addressing the gathering, Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi said that Baba Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi made humanity the central mission of his life and consistently opposed injustice and oppression. He also highlighted Mian Sahib’s efforts for the welfare of marginalized communities, including securing ST status for Gujjars and initiating Gojri radio broadcasts.
In his keynote address, noted writer and broadcaster Hassan Perwaz highlighted Mian Sahib’s spiritual discipline, literary engagement and political journey, including his four consecutive victories in the J&K Assembly elections and his voluntary retirement from politics in 1987.
Dr Ibrahim Misbahi presented an analysis of Mian Sahib’s spiritual journey. In his presidential address, Prof Ahmad Qadoos Javed emphasized the universal relevance of Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi’s ideals and strongly advocated for the inclusion of the Gojri language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Among the participants were Prof Mohd Khwaja Ikrâmuddin, Prof Sanjeev Kumar Sharma of JNU, Dr Abdul Hakim Choudhary from AIIMS, and several other eminent personalities.
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