Rafi Ahmed Mir
Rafi Ahmed Mir (born 1956) is a veteran politician and the General Secretary of J&K People's Democratic Party.Belonging to a premier political family Rafi Ahmed Mir is son of former MLC, MLA late Ghulam Ahmad Mir fondly known as Mir e Sallar , who worked with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. His forefathers remained close to Maharaja Hari Singh and later on in participants in active politics of Kashmir.
Rafi Mir as a college student did lot of political activities he was elected as secretary of All Kashmir Students youth Welfare Council. He mobilised the college youth to utilise their potential towards constructive ways and also take part in political activities.
After graduating Mir formed a local environment NGO Green Pahalgam and was also elected chairman, Municipal Committee in Pahalgam in 1984 having a ministerial rank. His work as chairman was acknowledged by then Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah and subsequently Rafi was handpicked by then Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah to contest from Assembly segment Pahalgam. In 1987 he was the youngest MLA of the state winning from Pahalgam with a huge margin.Rafi Ahmad Mir, was the only mainstream politician to stay back in valley during peak militancy.He was perhaps the lone NC hand who never migrated from Kashmir. His political activities are recognised all over the state, like his father he was known for his public relations across the state. He was the few credible faces that the National Conference had.He served as National Conference's Provincial Secretary and a spokesperson till 2007. Rafi escaped bid on life after being attacked by militants a number of times in years 1999, 2002, and 2006. In 2002, got ticket from NC and fought elections against Mehbooba Mufti but got defeated by a very narrow margin. Later when Mehbooba contested Parliament election, in 2004, by-poll, Rafi contested against Mufti Mohd. Sayeed the then Chief Minister who won by a margin of 2500 votes only. Rafi was known to give a tough fight to father daughter duo. Later he developed differences with the leadership of National Conference and felt the party's response towards his workers was suffocating him and later joined PDP in 2007. He was nominated as MLC in 2008 and got elected as MLA in 2008 elections defeating NC by a margin of over 11000 votes. Mir is a decades long politician known for his public concerns. Rafi Mir has been vociferous about public issue in both the houses having represented the people thrice [1][2] which include tourism, the panchayat raj empowerment, Custodial killing of youth, Revockation of AFSPA, PSA, Health etc. He also headed Public Undertakings Committee and the public accounts committee of the J&K Assembly.[3] He is the General Secretary of people's democratic party and the district committee head of Parliament elections, Panchayat elections etc. Today he is one of the close aides of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and is known for his proximity with the party top brass. Rafi Mir is also one of those few leaders of Kashmir who always are in touch with the Pandit community [4] and help for their viable return to the valley. Rafi Mir is a popular leader when it comes to public relations as he is always available for public meetings even during snowy winter seasons. His secularism no doubt makes him a fine leader of repute.He was also praised by the H.E Governor of the Jammu and Kashmir state for helping in fecilitating smooth conduct of Shri Amarnath ji Yatra. Mir also started social drives in his area like the green plantation drive, ban on use of polythene, various medical camps and educational counselling sessions for students.[5]
References
- ↑ "news/pdp-stages-walkout-over-youths-killing-42829". web.archive.org. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ↑ Rafi, Mir. RisingKashmir http://www.risingkashmir.in/news/pdp-stages-walkout-over-youths-killing-42829.aspx. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "Legislative panel reviews development activities in Anantnag". zeenews.india.com. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ↑ GreaterKashmir.com (Greater Service). "Rafi Mir welcomes KPs Lastupdate:- Thu, 9 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com". greaterkashmir.com. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ↑ GreaterKashmir.com (Greater Service). "Protect Kashmiri students in Nagpur Rafi Mir to Shinde Lastupdate:- Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com". greaterkashmir.com. Retrieved 2014-01-31.