Srinagar
The condemnation statements over the murder of veteran journalist and Rising Kashmir Editor Shujaat Bukhari continued to pour in for the second consecutive day on Friday.
Congress
Strongly condemning the attack on Senior Journalist & Chief Editor Daily Rising Shujaat Bukhari in which the Bukhari and his PSO lost their lives today, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President G.A. Mir described the incident as, mindless cowardly, & shameful act on the part of attackers.
A high-level delegation led by G.A. Mir visited Kreeri Pattan (Baramulla) and participated in the funeral of Late. Shujaat Bukhari today. The delegation included MLC Gulam Nabi Monga, MLA Haji Abdul Rashid Dar Vice Presidents, General Secretaries Shoaib Nabi Lone, Surender Singh Channi, Spokesperson Farooq Andrabi, Irfan Naqib, Abdul Gani Khan, Mohd Sultan and others offered deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Strongly condemning this inhuman act, G.A. Mir expressed serious anguish over the deadly attack on Senior Journalist and emphasized the Govt to ascertain the identity of the attackers for severe punishment.
The Assassination of Bukhari was a great loss to the State, We were saddened and shocked to hear about this unfortunate news of the assassination of Senior Journalist. I have no words to express my grief, G.A. Mir added and expressed solidarity with the family of Bukhari and his friends and relatives.
Federation of Urdu working Journalists has strongly condemned the gruesome killing of senior journalist and editor of Rising Kashmir and Buland Kashmir Dr.Shujaat Bukhari. “His loss is a huge set back to the entire press fraternity of the valley. The dastardly act amounts to attack freedom of speech. Silencing a professional like him is absolutely unfortunate”, The FOUWJ is pained at the loss of senior Journalist and considers the killing as an assault on the entire media fraternity in Kashmir. FOUWJ stands with the bereaved family and prays for eternal peace to the departed soul.
SDSJK
Society of Dental Surgeons, J&K (SDSJK) has condemned the barbarous killing of Dr. Shujaat Bukhari (Editor in Chief, Rising Kashmir) along with two other persons escorting him yesterday at Press Enclave.
President SDSJK Dr Imtyaz Banday in a statement issued said that Dr Shujaat Bukhari was an epitome in the field of journalism and his acumen and vision was internationally acclaimed. He was the proud son of the soil and the gruesome act in silencing his voice has led a big void in all the hearts of every human especially Kashmiris.
His bold voice was a source of inspiration for many and only those who are enemies of humanity and Kashmir can execute such heinous crime.
SDSJK prays for the departed soul and extreme patience to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. The loss is not to the family but to every Kashmiri and every SDSJK member is in shock.
IUST
Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora, condemns the demise of Senior Journalist and Editor-In-Chief of Rising Kashmir, Dr. Syed Shujaat Bukhari who was killed by unknown gunmen on Thursday 14 June 2018 evening at Press Enclave, Srinagar. DR. Bukhari was a well-wisher of IUST and was Adjunct faculty in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. The University in particular and people of the State, in general, have lost a great journalist, a visionary scholar, and a noble soul.
The IUST strongly condemns this act of violence & prays for his soul to rest in peace and patience to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Minister for Agriculture Muhammad Khalil Bandh today expressed grief and shock over the killing of veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Rising Kashmir, Syed Shujaat Bukhari.
The Minister said that Bukhari will be always remembered for his professional journalistic acumen. He said that his loss has created a void in Kashmiri journalism which would be difficult to fill in near future.
He expressed his sympathies with the deceased family.
Speaker Dr Nirmal Singh
Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Dr. Nirmal Singh today expressed his deep shock and outrage at the brazen murder of senior journalist and editor of Rising Kashmir, Syed Shujaat Bukhari.
Dr Singh strongly condemned the killing of Shujaat Bukhari and said that it is an act of cowardice.
In his condolence message, Dr Singh prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and endurance for the family and friends of the deceased to bear this irreparable loss.
Shujaat Bukhari’s death a personal loss to me: Prof Mattoo
Advisor to Chief Minister Prof Amitabh Mattoo today expressed heartfelt grief and shock over the death of the veteran journalist Syed Shujaat Bukhari. He said his death is a personal loss to him.
“I have lost a personal friend in Shujaat, who I have known for most of the last two decades. The media fraternity has been deprived of a courageous journalist, fiercely independent and someone who could not be boxed in by the familiar orthodoxies that define the politics of Kashmir. And the Valley’s civil society will gravely miss one of its most robust voices,” Prof Mattoo said.
Asiea Naqash
Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development, Social welfare, Health & Medical Education, Power Development and Industries & Commerce, Asiea Naqash has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the gruesome killing of Syed Shujaat Bukhari, editor of Rising Kashmir.
In her condolence message, the Minister expressed her heartfelt sympathies with Basharat Ahmed Bukhari, Cabinet Minister who is Shujaat’s brother and prayed for eternal peace and highest place in heaven to the departed soul.
She also expressed sympathies with the bereaved family members in their hour of grief and prayed for courage and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
KCSDS
Kashmir Centre for social & development studies (KCSDS ) is rudely shocked & terribly grieved at the brutal assassination of senior Journalist & chief Editor of daily Rising Kashmir Shujjat Bukhari. Carried in broad daylight, in a high-security zone and coinciding with the indictment of India by UN human rights council for gross human rights violations in Kashmir, the assassination raises many questions.
Shujjat’s assassination is a tremendous set back to the cause of freedom of expression. His death adds to a long list of journalists killed & maimed in Kashmir over a period of time. A striking similarity is in the place of killing where Shujjat was gunned down. Nearly twenty-three years ago, Agence France-Presse and Asian News International photographer, Mushtaq Ali was killed at the same spot and the place named after him.
His assassination is a sad and brutal event and our hearts go out to his wailing family and aged parents. But we will not let this contemptible and dastardly act to delay the demand for implementation of UN human rights council recommendations for a single second. Let us pray that his legacy will be a brighter and more hopeful future for the people he loved and whose cause he pleaded at every available forum.
KCSDS demands an impartial & independent probe to identify the assassins so that they are brought to justice.
Kohli, Mir Zahoor
Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli and Minister of State for Forest, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mir Zahoor Ahmed today expressed grief and shock over the killing of veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Rising Kashmir, Syed Shujaat Bukhari.
The Ministers said that Bukhari played a pivotal role in institutionalizing journalism in Kashmir and will be remembered for his services in the field of journalism and upholding truth.
Both the Ministers participated in the funeral prayers of Bukhari who was laid to rest at his ancestral place of Kreeri-Pattan in Baramulla district.
They also extended their heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family.
Zafar Iqbal Manhas
Vice President of J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages, Zafar Iqbal Manhas has condoled the killing of veteran journalist Syed Shujaat Bukhari.
“Shocked, devastated and dumbfounded, I am unable to express my deep sorrow and pain on the brutal killing of veteran journalist and commentator – Syed Shujaat Bukhari,” Manhas said in his condolence message.
Describing him as an intelligent, active and energetic person, the JKAACL Vice President said that Shujaat was a great votary of peace and human rights “who always stood for communal harmony”.
“Rest in Peace dear Shujaat, you will be missed for long by not only nears and dears but by all those who knew you,” Manhas prayed.
Secy Information, Dir Info
Secretary Information, Sarmad Hafeez, and Director Information, Tariq Ahmad Zargar have expressed deep anguish over the killing of senior journalist and Editor Syed Shujaat Bukhari.
Recalling Shujaat’s contribution in the field of journalism in the State, the Director Information and Secretary Information said that he was always working for the cause of the journalists besides contributing immensely in social and literary arenas.
Praying for the eternal peace to the departed soul, Zargar and Hafeez expressed solidarity with the journalistic fraternity of the State in this moment of immense grief.
Meanwhile, Director Archives, Archaeology & Museums, Muneer-ul-Islam has also expressed deep grief and shock over the killing of Shujaat Bukhari.
Praying for the eternal peace to the departed soul, Islam expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
PSAK
Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) today condemned the inhuman killing of senior journalist and man of many talents Dr Syed Shujaat Bukhari.
The Association said that it was deeply pained at the cowardly killing of one the leading intellectuals of Kashmir. “Shujaat Bukhari was not just a senior journalist, he was a mentor and guide for youngsters who wished to pursue the career in journalism. He handheld hundreds of youngsters and inspired thousands in their careers,” said G N Var president PSAJK.
A delegation of Association also participated in the funeral prayers of the deceased and prayed for Allah’s blessing on the departed soul. “God had given the gift of a pen to Shujaat Bukhari and he used it for writing the truth and trying to relieve the pain of the society,” said Var. “In every era, Islam granted huge respects to pen particularly intellectuals and scholars. And Shujaat was one of the rare breeds of pen warriors who used the pen for general good and fight against social ills, ignorance, and injustice.”
Shujaat’s inclination towards art, culture, and literature has also been a beacon of hope for the younger generation. Shujaat Bukhari had served as president of Adbee Markaz Kamraz, which is the biggest Literary Organization in the state of J&K, for about five years besides working for the promotion of Kashmiri language. “He took pride in Kashmiri culture and worked relentlessly to preserve, propagate and highlight it. He remained rooted to the soil of Kashmir and this is a lesson for youth who want pursue their careers in any field but they should never forget their heritage,” said Var.
The Association prayed for highest place of Jannat for Shujaat and courage for the family to bear this huge loss.
Shujat Bukhari and his personal security guard were killed by unknown gunmen at Press Enclave on Thursday evening.
The unknown gunmen opened indiscriminate fire as soon as Bukhari was disembarking from his vehicle at the press enclave around 7:00 pm.
According to reports, the gunmen fled from the spot while Bukhari and his PSO were removed to SMHS hospital where both of them declared brought dead.
