Srinagar: When Shujaat Bukhari was abducted by suspected militants from Residency Road in Srinagar a few years ago, little did the abductors realise that they are dealing with the iron man of journalism. Soon after he was bundled in an auto rickshaw, Shujaat started planning his escape. As auto reached the Old city, he jumped out and made good his escape.
It was just a trailer of threats and intimidation that he faced through his career. Be it from counter insurgents or others, Bravery defined Shujaat in both personal and professional life. Born in 1968, Shujaat came from a highly educated and respected family of Kreeeri in North Kashmir district of Baramulla. His father retired as a professor and mother as a teacher. His elder brother Syed Basharat Bukhari was a noted broadcaster before he joined People’s Democratic Party and rose to become minister in Mehbooba Mufti government.
A humble soul, his first big break in career came when he became a reporter of The Kashmir Times in early nineties. A tall lanky reporter soon carved a niche for himself. He later joined The Hindu where he served as Special Correspondent and bureau head before setting up his own newspaper The Rising Kashmir. In short span of time, his daily became hugely popular. The newspaper became an institution where young reporters were groomed. Some of the The Rising Kashmirans became true rising star of journalism nationally and internationally.
Shujaat had the distinction of establishing first Kashmiri language daily ‘Sangarmal’ in the valley. Plus he was also publishing two Urdu newspapers, ‘Buland Kashmir’ and ‘Parcham’.A highly educated man, he was PhD and a recipient of World Press Institute USA fellowship. Bukhari had done his Masters in Journalism from Ateneo de Manila University, Manila as a fellow of Asian Centre for Journalism. Bukhari was also a fellow at East West Centre at USA’s Hawaii.
A widely travelled man, he was always close to his roots who always cared for art, culture and language of Kashmir. That was why he was associated with biggest cultural organisation ‘Adbee Markaz Kamraz’. He went on to become the president of the organisation. A true champion of human rights, his one of last tweets was about the UN report on Kashmir. “First-ever @UNHumanRights report on #Kashmir calls for #international inquiry into multiple violations”, he tweeted hours before his assassination. Shujaat is survived by his wife, a doctor, and a son and daughter besides his parents.
The killing of Bukhari has evoked a sharp reaction from leaders across the political divide in Kashmir. “Shocked & deeply saddened by the sudden demise of Shujaat Bukhari. The scourge of terror has reared its ugly head on the eve of Eid. I strongly condemn this act of mindless violence & pray for his soul to rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family”, tweeted Mehbooba Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister. Mehbooba noted that terrorism has hit a new low with Shujaat’s killing. “That too, on the eve of Eid. We must unite against forces seeking to undermine our attempts to restore peace. Justice will be done”, she assured.