Sofi Mohammad Akbar (1889-1987) Founder Mahaz-e-Azadi
Sofi Mohammad Akbar was born in Sopore in 1889. His father died in his early age and hence was brought up by his elder brother Kh. Mohamamd Abdullah Sofi. He completed his basic studies in his native High School and for obvious reasons could not continue his higher studies.:::
Sofi Mohammad Akbar:::
For a short time he also worked as a school teacher but his urge for literature made him to seek knowledge by all means through books of religion and politics which gave him a wide range of understanding of socio-cultural and political matters of Kashmir. In 1931, when Kashmir political resistance against the autocratic rules started boiling, Sofi Mohammad Akbar joined the fray with the cadres of Reading Room Party and as a result of his activities he was arrested and jailed for five months in addition of fine. Again in 1934 he was arrested and fined in addition of spending six months in jail.
He did not stop to organize and mobiles the new generation to launch a concerted movement against the autocratic ruler. In 1938 he was re-arrested and was sent to Muzaffarabad Jail where he spent fourteen months. When in 1939, Muslim Conference was changed into National Conference, Sofi Akbar opposed that decision and resigned in protest but his resignation was not accepted but persuaded to support. In 1946, when “Quit Kashmir Movement” took its start, he spent eighteen months in jail. In 1953 when Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was dethroned and arrested, he along-with other played a central role in organizing J&K Plebiscite Front and launched a concerted movement in Kashmir, known as Rai-Shumari (plebiscite – right of self-determination movement).
In 1971 when he went to Mecca to observe HAJ, he prayed for nothing but independence of Kashmir. He stayed in Mecca for about four and a half month. Sofi Akbar was a pivotal force in all the pro-freedom activities of Plebiscite Front launched from the headquarters of ‘Mujahid Manzil’, Srinagar. He served in the Front till 1975 When Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah entered into the infamous agreement known as “Indra-Abdullah Accord” and was installed as Chief Minister of J&K. When Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah dissolved J&K Plebiscite Front in 1975, Sofi Mohammad Akbar didn’t accept that self-centered decision of S. M. Abdullah and to his utter distress and disappointment from Sheikh Abdullah rolled his bed from the ‘Mujahid Manzil’ and went to his native home – Sopore in district Baramulla. In 1977, after re-organising his determination and commitment with the sacred Kashmir cause, he formed J&K Mahaz-e-Azadi on May 7, 1977 with the object of complete independence of the State. This created a new ray of hope for new young generation to continue their cherished struggle for independence. Many young stalwarts of the freedom struggle joined him and the otherwise diluted struggle for complete independence took a new direction. In his life long struggle he spent a modest way of life. In 1984 his health could not support him to continue his political activities and remained holed up in his home for three years. And at the age of 98 he breathed his last on Dec. 14, 1987. May God bless his soul.
Sofi Mohammad Akbar was born in Sopore in 1889. His father died in his early age and hence was brought up by his elder brother Kh. Mohamamd Abdullah Sofi. He completed his basic studies in his native High School and for obvious reasons could not continue his higher studies.:::
Sofi Mohammad Akbar:::
For a short time he also worked as a school teacher but his urge for literature made him to seek knowledge by all means through books of religion and politics which gave him a wide range of understanding of socio-cultural and political matters of Kashmir. In 1931, when Kashmir political resistance against the autocratic rules started boiling, Sofi Mohammad Akbar joined the fray with the cadres of Reading Room Party and as a result of his activities he was arrested and jailed for five months in addition of fine. Again in 1934 he was arrested and fined in addition of spending six months in jail.
He did not stop to organize and mobiles the new generation to launch a concerted movement against the autocratic ruler. In 1938 he was re-arrested and was sent to Muzaffarabad Jail where he spent fourteen months. When in 1939, Muslim Conference was changed into National Conference, Sofi Akbar opposed that decision and resigned in protest but his resignation was not accepted but persuaded to support. In 1946, when “Quit Kashmir Movement” took its start, he spent eighteen months in jail. In 1953 when Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was dethroned and arrested, he along-with other played a central role in organizing J&K Plebiscite Front and launched a concerted movement in Kashmir, known as Rai-Shumari (plebiscite – right of self-determination movement).
In 1971 when he went to Mecca to observe HAJ, he prayed for nothing but independence of Kashmir. He stayed in Mecca for about four and a half month. Sofi Akbar was a pivotal force in all the pro-freedom activities of Plebiscite Front launched from the headquarters of ‘Mujahid Manzil’, Srinagar. He served in the Front till 1975 When Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah entered into the infamous agreement known as “Indra-Abdullah Accord” and was installed as Chief Minister of J&K. When Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah dissolved J&K Plebiscite Front in 1975, Sofi Mohammad Akbar didn’t accept that self-centered decision of S. M. Abdullah and to his utter distress and disappointment from Sheikh Abdullah rolled his bed from the ‘Mujahid Manzil’ and went to his native home – Sopore in district Baramulla. In 1977, after re-organising his determination and commitment with the sacred Kashmir cause, he formed J&K Mahaz-e-Azadi on May 7, 1977 with the object of complete independence of the State. This created a new ray of hope for new young generation to continue their cherished struggle for independence. Many young stalwarts of the freedom struggle joined him and the otherwise diluted struggle for complete independence took a new direction. In his life long struggle he spent a modest way of life. In 1984 his health could not support him to continue his political activities and remained holed up in his home for three years. And at the age of 98 he breathed his last on Dec. 14, 1987. May God bless his soul.
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