Veteran National Conference Leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal Passes Away in Srinagar
Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, a prominent leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) and younger brother of party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, died on Tuesday at a private hospital in Srinagar after a brief illness. He was 84.
A spokesman for the NC confirmed his death. Mr. Kamal had been unwell for several months and his condition worsened four days ago. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his nephew, said in a post on X: 'Uncle Mustafa had been unwell for some months but took a turn for the worse four days ago. He put up a brave fight... The doctors and staff treating him were amazing, but Allah called him for his final journey.'
Mr. Kamal was known for advocating a return to the pre-1953 arrangement for Jammu and Kashmir, under which the state enjoyed greater autonomy. He often criticised the Congress party for the arrest of his father, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, in 1953, which he described as a 'black day'. Within the NC, he argued that restoring the pre-1953 position was the only constitutional remedy to end decades of uncertainty in the region. He blamed the 1989 insurgency on what he called the 'unilateral and unconstitutional erosion' of the state's special status since 1953.
In interviews, Mr. Kamal explained the basis of the state's relationship with the Centre: 'The Delhi Agreement of 1952 and Article 370 of the Constitution, based on the Instrument of Accession of Late Maharaja Hari Singh was basis of J&K's relationship with the Centre. But slowly titles like Sadr-e-Riyasat and Wazir Azam were removed.' He described the pre-1953 position as one where 'except communication, external affairs and defence, all rights would be with the people of Kashmir'.
Early in his career, Mr. Kamal worked as a general physician in Tangmarg, north Kashmir, his mother's hometown. He served as a minister on two occasions and later became additional general secretary of the NC. Known for his outspoken nature, he stirred controversies, including remarks against the Indian Army over the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and calling Congress leader Makhan Lal Fotedar an 'aasteen ka saanp' (snake in the sleeve). In 2012, his criticism of Rahul Gandhi led to his removal as the party's spokesman.
The NC spokesman said: 'Dr. Kamal Sahib devoted decades of his life to public service and to strengthening the ideals and legacy of the NC. His passing is an irreparable loss not only to the NC family but also to the people of J&K.' Other parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, also condoled his death. Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, expressed condolences to the family.
