Budgam, Nov 19, KNT: A new book titled Sardar Patel and Kashmir authored by Prof Saifuddin Soz, was released on Wednesday at the KSERT College complex in Humhama in the presence of a large gathering of academics, scholars and civil society members.
The function was attended by Sofi Gulam Rasool, Noor Ahmad Baba, Mohammad Saleem Beg, Prof Gul Mohammad Wani and senior journalist Mohammad Syed Malik, who shared the presidium during the launch ceremony.
Speakers at the event said that while Jawaharlal Nehru’s deep understanding of Kashmir is widely recognised, the extent of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s engagement with Kashmir has remained comparatively less explored. Prof Soz, they said, has attempted to bridge this gap by presenting archival insights and researched perspectives that shed light on Patel’s political interest in Jammu and Kashmir.
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The author has examined Patel’s relationship with key Kashmiri leaders, particularly the then National Conference president Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, and the nature of their political interactions during a crucial phase of the region’s history. The book also delves into Patel’s exchanges with Maharaja Hari Singh and the contrasting viewpoints that shaped decisions during the period of accession.
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According to the organisers, the work brings together the thoughts of prominent Kashmiri scholars including Dwarka Nath Kachru and Prem Nath Bazaz, weaving their analyses into the broader narrative to provide a comprehensive understanding of the era.
Participants at the event said the book aims to place Patel’s role in Kashmir in its proper historical context, noting that the leader often expressed his views on the region with clarity and candour. They said the launch provided an open platform for free discussion and exchange of ideas on a subject that continues to be significant for Kashmir’s political history.
The book is expected to engage scholars, students and readers interested in the political developments surrounding Kashmir’s accession and leadership debates of the time. [KNT]
