Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, Nov 16: On National Press Day, we honor the living pillars of a free press and also turn our focus to the indelible legacy of those who chronicled Kashmir’s stories, often against insurmountable odds.
The Web Story/ The Varmul Post pays tribute to the valley’s veteran journalists whose journeys were cut short, but whose contributions continue to resonate across print, electronic, and digital media.
We remember these stalwarts not just as reporters, but as institutions in their own right—men and women who pursued the truth with a dedication that has left an eternal mark on the region’s journalism.
This tribute is incomplete without remembering Syed Shujaat Bukhari, the founding editor of Rising Kashmir. Assassinated by terrorists outside his Srinagar office on June 14, 2018, Bukhari’s death was a watershed moment. Yet, his legacy is a living force, inspiring generations through his fearless journalistic ethos. Today, he is honored not with silence, but with a renewed commitment to reading his work and discussing the ideas he championed.
The pen also fell silent with the untimely passing of Javid Ahmad, a senior correspondent with Rising Kashmir, who succumbed to a heart attack in October 2020. Colleagues and readers alike remember him as a profoundly talented and humble professional whose work embodied the quiet integrity of the craft.
Earlier this month, Kashmir’s journalism was shaken by the loss of Tariq Bhat, the J&K bureau chief of The Week magazine, who also died of a cardiac arrest. Eulogized by his peers, Bhat is remembered as a journalist’s journalist—one who never chased headlines, but pursued a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the complex narratives he covered.
In this same month, November also saw the passing of Fayaz Dilbar, a multifaceted genius—playwright, poet, and journalist—who died after a major heart attack at 68. Dilbar began his journey with Srinagar Times and co-founded the influential Kashmir News Bureau (KNB) in the early 1980s. Recalled as a man of intellect, warmth, and wit, his death marks the end of an era for Urdu letters and Kashmiri theatre, leaving behind a rich legacy in journalism and literature.
Kashmir has produced journalists of extraordinary calibre whose efforts in shaping this vital institution have always held a high station. Despite the field being fraught with unique and persistent challenges, many journalists have attained a distinguished place, setting a benchmark through their unparalleled work.
Even in today’s fast-paced AI era, where social media often dominates the discourse, the role of traditional, verified journalism in providing a distinct and credible platform remains irreplaceable.
Speaking to The Varmul Post, a young budding journalist, Sajid Raina, reflected on the reality of working in the region. “It’s always full of challenges to do real journalism in a land where working professionally is often a dream for journalists globally. But still, there are journalists here who are real stars, making a balance in today’s era where social media is being treated as a strong institution,” he said.
He added a poignant note, “In Kashmir, every day for a journalist is a celebration of Press Day, if you consider the hurdles and challenges we keep in mind and overcome just to do our jobs.”
A veteran correspondent, Syed Rizwan Geelani, who has reported from the valley for over two decades, stated, “The mountains here don’t just echo with silence; they echo with stories that demand to be told, regardless of the cost. Our duty is to amplify them, even if our own voices tremble.”
Tawseef Ahmad, another budding journalist, said, “We operate in the gray zones—between fact and rumor, courage and caution, the need to inform and the duty to protect. Getting the story is only half the battle; understanding its human weight is the other.”
A photojournalist highlighted the physical and emotional toll, saying, “My camera is both a shield and a target. It captures the truth, but it also draws a focus. Every click is a decision, a fragment of history frozen in a moment of immense pressure.”
Their bylines may have faded, but the stories they told and the standards they set continue to inform, inspire, and uphold the very essence of a free press.
