A young kid only about 18 years age , fresh in politics took the plunge into unknown territory and decide to move to central stage of political upheaval in Jammu from then major but distant and politically active of Mirpur in 1946 . Future was blurred but vision was very clear of establishing foundation of a society which will honor and bestow equal rights to all , a chance to oppressed to be at par with hertherto Ruling and Exploiting class .
Little boys with big dreams and bigger vision … he was Comrade Krishan Dev Sethi . Politically he was student of Raja Mohd Akbar Khan , a towering political figure of Jammu And Kashmir state before independence.
Comrade Sethi had left leaning from very start and had extensive knowledge about Marxism at the very young age . It was the time when idea of Communist World was at its peak and had been attracting youth and exploiting classes . It was class conflicts at world canvas which had attracted the aspirations of a whole generation. Small feet of young boy treaded ground from Mirpur to Nowshera and then to Akhnoor with great hardship .
It must have been the most tiring journey with no support and hope . From Akhnoor he took boat to Jammu and Inaddd in his land of dream. At the backdrop he remembered leaving his motherland to fight for better lives for his people and to build a classless society.
He became of part of important National Conference leadership and when in 1951 the elections were held for Constituent
Assembly of the state to decide about future constitutional and legal positio of state , he was fielded as candidate from Nowshera constituency and was elected as youngest member of Constituent Assembly of State and played very active role in framing of constitution particularly the rights of poor and oppressed . It was his huge efforts which paved ways for land reforms in the state giving land to landless farmers and tillers , realization of his cherished dream of a classless society and Giving hope to hopeless . He was re elected in 1957 from Nowshsra .
His role as Rehabilitation Officer post 1947 made him messiah for refugees and landless and endeared him to masses . His loosing elections in 1962 which many believed to be result of rigging drifted him from electoral politics to politics of struggle to change society from within . He held important position in left politics at National Level and had close relations with Comrade Harkrishan Singh Surjeet , Jyoti Basu former multiple times Chief Minister of West Bengal and many other left stalwarts . Even being out of electoral politics he remained active politically in his own ways , moulding and creating many political personalities and played very active role in deciding political destiny of the state. His advice and guidance was taken by many in power and governance and he always showed the right path. He had unflinching faith in democracy and democratic values .
Comrade Sethi was epitome of secular thinking. He valued persons above any other considerations. His closest friends will always vouch for his secular creditentials . He has followers in all religious and political spectrum and his acceptability was not only in all religions of jammu and Kashmir but also in territories of state illegally occupied by Pakistan . He was truly a leader of both parts of Jammu and Kashmir , perhaps the only one . His appeal and acceptability across border can be well judged by social media response from across border after his unfortunate demise on 28th Jan . UKs hard to believe that such a personality walked amongst us in the times of mutual mistrust and hatred who is loved by all , even sworn enemies
Comrade Sethi was friend of friends . His friendships survived for his life . His friendships were steady and at his mourning large number of his friends came from all walks of life with long association and own stories to tell for associations running into decades . His friends included policy bigwigs as also poor person and to each he gave equal importance . Those were his principles .list of his friends would run from Late Mufti Sahib , late Ved Bhasin ji , late Manohar Arya ji , Com Virender Singh ji , Majid Khan sahab , Majid Sahib of poonch , Tara Chand ji and youngster like Gauhar Fani and many many more
A truly inspirational personality he led by his personal example in the political field . Having remained two times legislator and that too at formative times of state , he made no property or assets for himself or family . He spent his whole life in Custodian House and had no savings .
Even the part of pension he was receiving as former legislator was being spent for cause of poor . His totally earnings in his life was his family , his two brothers late Justice R.P.Sethi and late Col. M. L. Sethi who treated him as God and followed his command and made name for themselves by following principles of Sethi sahib , his children which includes nephews and nieces ( honestly there is no concept of nephews and nieces in the family , there are only children ) follow his command and principles and whatever reputation the family has earned is because of Sethi Sahib . He not only made his life meaningful but also made life of others worth living .
Sethi Sahib was versatile personality. He was journalist par excellence. He was editing urdu newspaper Jad o Jehad where he was regularly guiding society on his ideas of class equality. He was regular contributory to various other newspapers and magazines and his readers used to wait for publication of his write up. He was also author of classical autobiography Yaad e Rafta, which is a must read for anyone who wish to know about history and evolution of state .
He was suffering medically with dreaded sickness for some times but was very agile and alive to what was happening in society. He was always concerned about suffering humanity . He was personality which command respect from all he interacted with . He was truly a Political Fakir who knew only to give without expectation for self or family . Even in his death he gave to society when the family particularly his son in law Dr. GS Saini took the decision for eye donation within six hours of death , a difficult decision as most of family who has lost dear one is in stage of shock to take such decision. At his efforts eyes of Comrade Sethi were removed by doctors within six hours of death and on next day successfully implanted to two waiting persons who had not seen the world . Now Comrade Krishan Dev Sethi is alive in those two eyes , having given vision to two blind persons , vision of true Visionary and Revolutionary of our times survives. True tribute is paid to the departed soul . His journey at last stage was made comfortable by huge efforts by Dr. C. L. Gupta , Dr. Rahul Gupta , Dr. Saini and many of his friends who visited him every day . Special thanks to humble and important services rendered by his assistant Dheeraj who was more of son .
Raod was tough but he treaded beautiful and took thrones and laid petals for others to follow
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