By M S Nazki
At least Thirty thousand were present to pay him homage as he was laid to rest. This indeed was a mammoth gathering. Crossing the political ideology all came to pay their last tributes for a man who never indulged in thinking twice before a job was to be done. He never had any inclination towards what is called as divisive politics, his aim was to keep communities and societies locked together in brotherhood. In the turbulence which set this part of District ablaze, with fire ignited from across the Line of Control back in ninteen of the last century this man stood as an epitome of a fearless individual to keep people free of panic. At that time a very few could do that, in fact no one but the Indian army on the LOC and the men of Jammu and Kashmir Police in the backyard were ever busy. By the way 24×7 came in much late. When many politicians of the state at that time were losing their heads this Bukhari kept his own intact. As an unknown warrior , I thought he was just of another kind, but later as years grew on me I thought he was great. That was/ is the reason as to why he is respected till date. The condolences are pouring in and they will because in a place like Surankote love in the hills powers the way forward. The love that is centuries beyond the present one. At least I have managed to unearth it till half way into the eighteenth. This only books can tell and not the technology because this is new, used for things that can be manipulated for getting to the reality but not as to what happened in those times when people like them existed but now just skeletons of charms and artificiality. Bukhari was never of that kind! For him money did not matter, humanity did, for him love for people was a close embrace and not a hand shake with hidden meaning, for him families of others was the moment of satisfaction and then coming home and sitting on a mud floor but what in those days was called as Binna (most living in these times eat on dinner tables, love forks for bone less to get into their mouths and search for spoons to eat with bread from the floor) at that time could not have survived in a dingy kitchen with a meal. Bukhari was used to that and he ensured that his family learned the basics first and not grass hop into corruption!
I yesterday, when writing knew that no one has known as to what happens after death. Even those who think that they can predict are a bit on a hopeless journey. God’s are there who teach us, but the reality is what we face, the ultimate decision in modern times should have been realized by now. It is all situational. At the time of his death Sayed Mushtaq Bukhari in which world he was ending his life never knew and never it can be known.
I spoke to Owise Bukhari (his son), in sorrow it is difficult to talk to a son of a man who was as great. I asked the question (which one was I will tell you in question later when I end this story) it had to be difficult all the way. Now that Bukhari is no more visible, how will you deal with those who are visible in Surnakote? Was my immediate one with condolences offered? This was not the question but to a strangulated human being tied with grief does give a great one. And the reply was but Bukhari and his family was prepared and the reply was a stunner, ‘grief comes in waves, little one, at first they are so strong you feel so swept away. They come at such random moments, replacing a feeling of normalcy with those familiar tears. Yet in time those waves lessen and let the good memories flood in instead, they allow for waves of smiles and warmth, those funny or sweet things that were said. So, ride that wave, little one, ride it in that boat called love. For heaven loves you always and heaven loves them too’. I do not think. Owise Bukhari only one brother ad three sisters could be more explicit! They always knew that tomorrow when they get up their Dad would be no more?
I forgot the question that I never asked? But this one, I never asked but I will ask to man who a son of a man who is human? ‘Why we all love humanity? The answers is with those who manipulate and do follow pathways of hatred?
Bukhari always loved human beings!
Nevertheless I will get around to write another story on brotherhood of humanity! Come off it folks I’m always a man of tomorrow, if it comes! It definitely comes with time, hope so the message of brotherhood is understood! But for tonight Sayonara!