Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir — Maqbool Bhat, a name that echoes in the political discourse of Kashmir, remains one of the most significant figures in the region’s modern history. His death and the unresolved matter of his remains have come to symbolize the longstanding struggles and human costs of the Kashmir conflict.
Maqbool Bhat, born in 1938 in Trehgam, a village in Kupwara district, emerged as a leading advocate for Kashmir’s self-determination. In the early 1970s, Bhat co-founded the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), an organization pushing for an independent Kashmir, free from both Indian and Pakistani control. His radical vision earned him both staunch followers and fierce adversaries, as well as multiple arrests by Indian authorities.
In 1984, after being convicted of the killing of an intelligence officer, Bhat was executed in Tihar Jail, New Delhi. His death sparked widespread protests across Kashmir and among the Kashmiri diaspora. Bhat became a martyr for many, a symbol of resistance against perceived political repression by the Indian state.
However, it is not only the execution itself that continues to haunt Kashmir. What followed has only deepened the emotional and political wound: Indian authorities decided not to return Bhat’s body to his family, instead burying it in Tihar Jail.
A Demand for Dignity in Death
Since that fateful day in 1984, Maqbool Bhat’s family, his political associates, and numerous civil society groups have tirelessly campaigned for the repatriation of his remains. His brother, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, has repeatedly submitted formal requests to the Indian government, but all have been denied without detailed justification. In 2004, Zahoor and other family members took their fight to the Indian courts, but their efforts also bore no fruit.
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For many in Kashmir, the refusal to return Bhat’s body represents more than just a denial of personal closure; it is seen as a denial of dignity—one that symbolizes the ongoing suppression of Kashmiri identity and their political struggle.
“Returning his body isn’t just a matter of family closure,” Zahoor Ahmad Bhat said in an interview with BBC News. “It’s a matter of Kashmiri dignity. It’s about recognizing our pain and our struggle. Maqbool Bhat is not just my brother; he is a symbol of our fight for self-determination.”
A Symbol of Struggle
The issue of Maqbool Bhat’s remains has transcended the personal. It has become a political symbol deeply intertwined with Kashmir’s broader struggle for autonomy. For many, the refusal to hand over Bhat’s body is viewed as an ongoing act of control, an assertion of Indian authority over Kashmir that many believe has continued for decades.
The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), the organization Bhat co-founded, has led the charge for his body’s return. Yasin Malik, the imprisoned JKLF leader, has repeatedly raised the issue in both public speeches and official statements. Speaking to BBC from prison in 2019, Malik described the denial of Bhat’s remains as “an extension of the political repression that Kashmiris face every day.”
This sentiment is shared by many ordinary Kashmiris. In Trehgam, Bhat’s ancestral village, people have organized annual protests and vigils demanding the return of his remains. “Maqbool Bhat was not just a revolutionary figure; he was our voice, our hope for an independent future. The refusal to give his body back is a denial of that hope,” said one local resident, requesting anonymity.
International Perspective: A Call for Justice
Human rights organizations have also weighed in on the issue. Amnesty International has emphasized the ethical obligation of states to ensure that families can bury their dead with dignity, regardless of the political context. The Geneva Conventions, which outline the protections of the dead in conflict zones, assert that even in the most sensitive political cases, remains must be treated with respect.
Victoria Schofield, a scholar on Kashmir, has noted the symbolic significance of Bhat’s unreturned body in her work. “The refusal to return Maqbool Bhat’s remains,” Schofield wrote, “is not merely a domestic issue for India; it is a symbol of the unresolved grievances of the Kashmiri people, and a focal point for the larger political conflict in the region.”
Despite these calls, Indian authorities have remained firm in their stance. They cite “security concerns” and the potential for large-scale unrest as reasons for withholding Bhat’s body. A senior government official, speaking anonymously, told BBC: “The return of Bhat’s body could lead to significant unrest. Given the sensitive nature of the issue, we must be cautious in handling it.”
However, critics argue that such concerns are not insurmountable. “With dialogue and careful planning, the situation can be handled peacefully,” said Khurram Parvez, a prominent Kashmiri human rights activist.
Dignity, Justice, and Closure
The question of Maqbool Bhat’s remains is not just about closure for a family; it is about historical justice, dignity, and a path toward reconciliation. For many Kashmiris, returning his body would be a symbolic acknowledgment of his place in the region’s history. It would also serve as a small but significant step toward healing the deep wounds of a conflict that has seen generations endure suffering and loss.
“Returning his body would not solve the larger political issues of Kashmir, but it would send a message of compassion and recognition,” said Dr. Shabir Choudhary, a political analyst based in London. “It would acknowledge the deep pain of the people here, and it would be a step towards reconciliation.”
The ongoing demand for Maqbool Bhat’s body reflects the larger themes of dignity, human rights, and political self-determination that continue to shape the discourse surrounding Kashmir. The failure to address this issue has only prolonged the sense of injustice that many in the region feel.
A Missed Opportunity for Dialogue?
Some have argued that the refusal to return Bhat’s body is a missed opportunity for India to demonstrate a willingness for dialogue with Kashmiris. For many, returning Maqbool Bhat’s body would not only be a gesture of goodwill but could also foster trust in the peace process, which has long been stalled.
“Sometimes, a small act of humanity can be the first step toward something much bigger,” Dr. Choudhary added. “Returning Maqbool Bhat’s body could signal a change in India’s approach to Kashmir—one that respects its people’s dignity and their struggle for self-determination.”
As the decades go by, the story of Maqbool Bhat and the unanswered demand for his body remains a poignant reminder of the unresolved grievances and the human toll of the Kashmir conflict. While the return of his remains may not resolve the larger political issues, it holds the potential to offer something invaluable: dignity, closure, and perhaps a sliver of hope for a region long engulfed in pain.
The question remains: How long can dignity be delayed in Kashmir?
