Om Mehta, a beacon light from Kishtwar, Jammu remembered by NPP on his 22nd Death Anniversary

Jammu, Feb 14: JKNPP organized a massive rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 13th February, 2017 on 22nd death anniversary of one of the renowned political figure from Jammu and Kashmir who was born on 20th February, 1927 at Kishtwar, the first field operational centre of General Zorawar Singh in 1838. This first operation centre from where General Zorawar Singh created his Dogra Army with the advice and counselling of Shri Mehta Basti Ram who was appointed by General Zorawar Singh as his advisor and ADC. General Zorawar Singh entered Kishtwar with the blessing and assistance of Mehta Basti Ram and conquerred entire Kargil and Leh sector by 1842. It was the genius and military input of Mehta Basti Ram that General Zorawar Singh managed to take possession of entire Ladakh sector. General Zorawar Singh with his Dogra Army died in the battle on the skirts of Tibet because of the heavy snow and short of war equipment on the borders of Tibet. Mehta Basti Ram, grandfather of Om Mehta managed to return with his verbal notes and written notes which came out in the history of conquest of Zorawar Singh in the Himalayas.
Shri Om Mehta was introduced to Mrs. Indira Gandhi who took him to the Rajya Sabha in 1964.
He was brought to the Centre and to the Rajya Sabha to strengthen the Young Turk base before the 1969 congress split. In parliament he was the member of public accounts committee from 1966 to 1968.One of the few leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, he was first given minor portfolios, parliamentary secretaries, Union Minister of Communication, Works and Housing and then finally, immediately before the emergency, he became Minister of State for Home Affairs. In 1970, he was given the ministerial rank in the union and in 1971 he became minister of aviation and transport where as in 1973 Department of Development was added to his ministry. During his ministerial tenure, he was given the opportunity to become India’s most honored minister. He was the de facto Home Minister from 1974 to 1977. He played most significant and positive role in assisting Mrs. Indira Gandhi during the difficult emergency days as a Home Minister of State in the Union Govt. He also appeared in the Shah Commission appointed by the Janata government during the rule of Janata Party. It was he who made the statement before the Shah Commission that whatever actions were taken by the Home Ministry during Emergency were taken by him (Om Mehta) in the interest of unity, integrity and security of the nation. It is interesting to note that Prof.Bhim Singh assisted Shri Om Mehta as a Barrister when Shri Om Mehta appeared before the Shah Commission.
Prof.Bhim Singh while addressing the Panthers Party activists in New Delhi said that Om Mehta has made as great contributions to strengthen India without caring for his self or without caring for the consequences that he might face from the arrogant Janata Party government at the Centre.
Prof.Bhim Singh in his homage to Shri Om Mehta called on the people of the entire country, particularly the youth to study the life and contributions of the great men in Indian politics who played a unique role to promote the interest of the country may they be Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, Madhavrao Scindhia, Ram Manohar Lohia, Lal Bahadur Shastri or others national figures in the history of post independence Bharata.
Prof.Bhim Singh said that Shri Om Mehta was a legendary figure in the Indian politics who rose from the skirts of the Himalayas (Kishtwar) and made unimaginable contribution to strengthen the unity of India during his days in the Parliament of India. Prof.Bhim Singh hoped that Shri Om Mehta shall be given a highest award for his distinguished services and contributions to strengthen Union of India.