Calls her ‘timeless testament to sacrifice, compassion, courage, unwavering faith’
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Friday paid rich tributes to Madar-e-Meharban Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah on her 26th Youm-e-Wisal (death anniversary) remembering her as a woman of extraordinary courage, unwavering conviction, profound spirituality, and an indomitable spirit whose life became inseparable from the political and social awakening of Jammu and Kashmir.
Party rank-and-file across Jammu and Kashmir united in homage to Begum Akbar Jehan, recalling her as the steadfast companion of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah during the most turbulent phases of his political struggle against autocratic rule. They described her as a symbol of resilience and quiet resistance, a woman who bore immense personal hardship with remarkable dignity while enduring prolonged periods of separation, surveillance, and political persecution.
The party leaders said that while history celebrates Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s towering leadership, it is impossible to understand that struggle without acknowledging the immeasurable sacrifices and moral strength of Begum Akbar Jehan. During the Sheikh’s repeated incarcerations and years of enforced isolation, she became the pillar that held together both his family and the movement, refusing to yield before intimidation or adversity.
“Many would have been broken by the deprivation, loneliness, and uncertainty that accompanied those long years. Begum Akbar Jehan, however, never faltered. She transformed suffering into strength and steadfastness into hope, embodying the spirit of a people determined to preserve their dignity and aspirations,” they said.
The leaders noted that Begum Akbar Jehan occupies a seminal place in Kashmir’s socio-political history. At a time when women were largely confined to the private sphere, she emerged as a pioneering public figure whose courage inspired generations of Kashmiri women to participate in public life with confidence and purpose. Her life demonstrated that compassion and conviction could coexist with exceptional political resolve.
Born into privilege and comfort, Begum Akbar Jehan consciously chose a life of sacrifice over one of luxury. She willingly relinquished the security and abundance of her maternal home to stand beside an idealistic young Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, whose vision of political empowerment, social justice, and the assertion of Kashmiri identity was then uncertain and fraught with immense challenges. She embraced, by her own choice, a path strewn with hardships, sharing not only her husband’s ideals but also the burdens and consequences that accompanied them.
As Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah sought to awaken political consciousness among the dispossessed and disenfranchised people of Jammu and Kashmir, Begum Akbar Jehan remained his unwavering source of strength. Her grace under pressure, quiet fortitude, and steadfast commitment ensured that the movement never lost its moral compass even during its darkest moments.
The party leaders also recalled her distinguished public service. She served as Chairperson of the State Level Committee for the International Women’s Year in 1975, President of the All India Family Welfare Association (J&K State Branch) in 1976, and President of the All India Women’s Conference (J&K State Branch) in 1977. She was elected to the 6th and 8th Lok Sabha, representing the Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies respectively, where she championed the cause of the people with dedication and integrity.
Remembering her enduring legacy, the party leaders said Begum Akbar Jehan’s life remains a timeless testament to sacrifice, compassion, courage, and unwavering faith.
“Her remarkable journey continues to inspire generations, reminding the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the greatest struggles are sustained not merely by charismatic leadership, but by the silent strength, resilience, and unshakeable conviction of those who stand steadfastly behind great causes,” they said.