The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Monday observed the 61st death anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, by paying rich floral tributes and remembering his visionary leadership and invaluable contributions to building modern India.
The main commemorative event was held at the Congress headquarters in Jammu, where JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra presided over the function. Working President Raman Bhalla, senior leaders, former ministers, legislators, and office bearers of PCC, DCC, Block Committees, and frontal organizations also participated in the ceremony.
“Pandit Nehru was not only the architect of modern India but a global statesman whose ideas still inspire the world,” said Karra. “Unfortunately, there are forces today that fear his inclusive ideology and try every means to diminish his legacy.”
Karra emphasized that Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, and the Indian National Congress stood firm against the partition of the country, while the “opportunistic forces” with radical ideologies colluded with the Muslim League for power-sharing, and are now projecting themselves as ultra-nationalists.
He said that Pandit Nehru laid the solid foundations of a free, democratic, and secular India, enabling the nation to make remarkable progress in various fields.
Reiterating the demand for early restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Karra criticized the downgrading of the state to a Union Territory, calling it a move against the spirit of the Constitution.
“A fitting tribute to our founding fathers would be to uphold their values and pass on their vision to future generations,” he said, urging the government to install a statue of Pandit Nehru in Jammu. He also questioned the disappearance of Mahatma Gandhi’s statues from the Mubarak Mandi Complex and Satwari Chowk, demanding accountability from the authorities.
Leaders in Attendance
Prominent leaders present included Balwan Singh, Ravinder Sharma, Yogesh Sawhney, Ved Mahajan, Manmohan Singh, Indu Pawar, Rajnish Sharma, Narinder Sharma, Satish Sharma, T.S. Tony, Suresh Dogra, Gurdarshan Singh, Zahida Khan, Vijay Sharma, Rajinder Singh, Sanjeev Panda, Rajveer Singh, Neeraj Gupta, Kapil Singh, Rajeev Saraf, R.A. Inqlabi, Jatin Raina, and M.L. Chalotra, among others.
Tributes in Srinagar
A similar function was held at the Congress party office in Srinagar, chaired by former JKPCC President Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed. Senior Congress leaders, including DCC presidents and other Kashmir-based leaders, participated and paid homage.
“Pandit Nehru was the author of modern India who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of every section of society,” said Sayeed.
Those who spoke and offered tributes included Bashir Ahmad Magrey, Surinder Singh Chani, Abdul Gani Khan, Nissar Ahmad Mundoo, Shameema Raina, Mohd Iqbal Mir (Anantnag), Irfan Naqib, Zaffar Farooq Salati, Abdul Rashid Lone, Umer Jaan, Mushtaq Ahmad Tantray, and Shaheena Neda.
Widespread Observance
Similar remembrance functions were held across the region, reflecting the enduring legacy of Pandit Nehru and the continued admiration for his vision of a secular, progressive, and democratic India.
