Professor Abdul Ghani Butt’s passing in Sopore at the age of 90 marks the end of an era for Kashmir’s freedom movement. More than a politician or scholar, he was a guiding light for a people denied their voice, a man whose calm dignity and unshakable commitment to justice inspired generations. To countless Kashmiris, he was not only a leader but also a teacher, a mentor, and a symbol of resilience; a proof that even in the face of oppression, the pursuit of truth and self-determination could remain peaceful, principled, and unwavering.
Professor Abdul Ghani Butt, affectionately known as Abdul Ghani Bhat, passed away on 17 September 2025 at the age of 90 in Sopore, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Born in Jammu and Kashmir, in 1935 Bhat held degrees in Persian, Economics, and Political Science, later completing a master’s in Persian and a law degree at Aligarh Muslim University. He earned his living as a professor of Persian until his dismissal by authorities for his pro-freedom stand in 1986.
In July 1986, he co-founded the Muslim United Front (MUF), a coalition born of public discontent under an administration many believed unresponsive to Kashmiri aspirations. When MUF candidates swept public opinion in the 1987 elections, widespread rigging by the Indian administration overturned that mandate. As punishment, many MUF activists, including Professor Bhat, were jailed.
In later years, Professor Butt led the Muslim Conference in IIOJK and served as chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). Under his leadership, these institutions reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, preferring dialogue over violence. He often reminded global community that the suffering of ordinary Kashmiris cannot be dismissed; that a lasting solution must be built on justice, dignity, and expression.
What set Professor Butt apart was not only his activism but his integrity. He remained deeply committed to principle. He always stood for civic rights. He raised voices for those dismissed, those arrested, and those disenfranchised. His scholarship, well-grounded in literature, law, and political thought, gave his roles gravitas; his long years as a teacher helped mould generations of Kashmiris who believed in peaceful struggle.
As Kashmir mourns, those of us committed to human rights, peace, and self-determination must reflect on his legacy. To carry on his work is not merely to remember, but to continue advocating for transparency, fairness, and above all, for the voice of Kashmiris themselves. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference and other pro-freedom organizations have expressed deep sorrow, extending condolences and prayers to his family. But the struggle to which he devoted his life now becomes more urgent, because the cost of silence is too high.
The Lasting Lesson: Professor Abdul Ghani Butt showed that strength lies not only in resistance, but in speaking truth under oppression. In an age of turbulence, his example demands that Kashmiris and others who care continue to demand justice—with courage, peace, and unwavering conviction.
