SRINAGAR (KIMS) — Sampat Prakash, a senior most Kashmiri Pandit citizen died of a cardiac arrest on Saturday at the age of 86. Sampat Prakash suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Saturday evening after which he was taken to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura for treatment where doctors declared him brought dead.
Prakash’s last rites were performed on Sunday at Karan Nagar. The last rites were attended by people cutting across faith and politics. Prakash’s demise was deeply mourned by people from all walks of life in the region, including politicians, trade unions, and other organizations.
Sampat Prakash, a prominent trade union leader was born in Anantnag district on March 10, 1937 and was living in Rainawari Srinagar. He was exposed to the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of Kashmir, which laid the foundation for his later activism and advocacy.
Sampat Prakash played a pivotal role in the trade union movement. As a trade union leader, he fought for the rights and welfare of workers, particularly in the cooperative sector. Prakash advocated for better working conditions, fair wages, and improved social security measures for the labour force. He was elected as the President of the Central Lal Bazaar Cooperative Housing Society in 1974.
Sampat Prakash achieved significant milestones in advancing the rights and well-being of workers. His dedication and commitment to the trade union movement earned him respect among the workers and within the larger labour movement in India.
He actively participated in conferences, seminars, and public debates to highlight the concerns and challenges faced by the workers. His advocacy work extended beyond the cooperative sector, encompassing issues related to labour rights, social justice, and equitable development.
Besides a trade union leader, Sampat Prakash was also strong advocate of harmony among various social, political, religious and other groups in Kashmir. He was also a campaigner of Kashmir’s special status Article 370 and Article 35-A that gave the people of the erstwhile state special rights over land and job.
His son said our family and all relatives are in living in Jammu while he lived in Kashmir as he was very attached to the Kashmir. He also said that his father’s last wish was to pour his ashes into the river Jhelum.
Prakash always used to say that he was born on Eid day and he also left this world on Eid day. — (KIMS)