Srinagar, June 12: Dr. Mehboob Beg, a former Member of Parliament, on Wednesday paid homage to his late father, Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beg, a prominent Kashmiri leader often referred to as “Fakhr-e-Kashmir” (Pride of Kashmir), on the occasion of his 44th death anniversary. The commemoration focused on Beg’s significant contributions to land reforms and the upliftment of common people in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tributes Paid in Anantnag Gathering
Information was available with The Chenab Times that a gathering was organized at the residence of Mirza Afzal Beg in Sarnal, Anantnag. Political workers, admirers, and local residents congregated to remember the late leader’s impactful political legacy and his dedicated public service.
Addressing the attendees, Dr. Mehboob Beg highlighted his father’s role as a pioneering advocate for the rights of ordinary Kashmiris. He noted that Mirza Afzal Beg emerged as a crucial voice during the political landscape following the events of 1931.
Advocacy for Kashmiri Aspirations
Dr. Beg recounted how his father forcefully represented Kashmiri aspirations before significant commissions, including the Milton and Glancy Commissions. He emphasized Mirza Afzal Beg’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the people’s interests. Dr. Beg further stated that his father had resigned from the Maharaja’s cabinet when he felt the concerns of Kashmiris were not being adequately addressed, underscoring his principled stand.
Land Reforms and Social Justice
A cornerstone of the commemoration was the discussion of Mirza Afzal Beg’s pivotal role in shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s land reforms. Dr. Mehboob Beg explained that the measures implemented under his father’s leadership were instrumental in reducing economic disparities and empowering the farming community. These reforms, he noted, are still cited as a significant model of social justice.
The former MP also touched upon his father’s considerable legal expertise and political stature, mentioning that his work and vision garnered appreciation from many eminent legal minds, journalists, and public figures of his time.
Dr. Mehboob Beg concluded by reflecting on Mirza Afzal Beg’s lifelong dedication to public welfare and his steadfast commitment to safeguarding Kashmiri interests throughout his distinguished political career. Participants at the event also paid floral tributes and offered prayers in memory of the departed leader, acknowledging his lasting impact on the region’s political and social fabric.
The Chenab Times News Desk