Kashmiri Pandit who championed dialogue, was respected by separatists: Bhushan Bazaz is no more
Bazaz, the only Pandit leader invited to meet Parvez Musharraf during the 2001 Agra summit, opposed the idea of a separate homeland for his community, saying it would turn those still in the Valley into “sitting ducks”.
Bazaz was the chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum (JKDF), which has called for dialogue between India and Pakistan, as well as between New Delhi and Srinagar, for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. A prominent Kashmiri Pandit voice and an outspoken advocate of inter-community brotherhood and Kashmiriyat, Pandit Bhushan Bazaz died in New Delhi on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 91.
Bazaz was the chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum (JKDF), which has called for dialogue between India and Pakistan, as well as between New Delhi and Srinagar, for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. The JKDF was founded by his father, Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz, a renowned Pandit leader and historian.
A Pandit voice that regularly raised concern over human rights violations and alleged fake encounters in Kashmir, Bazaz had also earned respect among the separatist leadership in the Valley. His father was among the founding members of the National Conference and an ardent advocate of Kashmir’s right to decide its future.
Bhushan Bazaz is the only Pandit leader to have been invited by the Pakistan High Commission to welcome and meet the then Pakistan President, Parvez Musharraf, in 2001 during the Agra summit. He attended the meeting, despite protests from Pandit groups and presented a copy of his father’s book, ‘The History of Struggle for Freedom in Kashmir’, to Musharraf. Bazaz also opposed the idea of a separate homeland for Kashmiri Pandits, arguing that this would turn those still in the Valley into “sitting ducks”.
Deeply saddened by the passing of Pandit Bhushan Bazaz, son of legendary Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz. A dear friend of my father, Bhushan Uncle was a father-like presence in my life. A true upholder of Kashmiri ethics, his sincere love, warmth, and affection will always stay with me.… pic.twitter.com/rZpwHdTc9x
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) January 12, 2026
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The Bazaz family had close ties with the family of Hurriyat chief and the Valley’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The Mirwaiz would often visit them in Delhi during his visits.
On Monday, the Mirwaiz condoled the death of Bazaz and called him an “upholder of Kashmiri ethics”.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Pandit Bhushan Bazaz, son of legendary Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz. A dear friend of my father, Bhushan uncle was a father-like presence in my life,” the Mirwaiz said in a post on X. “A true upholder of Kashmiri ethics, his sincere love, warmth and affection will always stay with me…,” he wrote.
Bazaz is survived by his wife and son, Kalhan. He had another son, Guruposho Bazaz, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Canada in 2004.
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