Sudden Death of Kashmir University Professor Shocks the Valley

Gloom descended on the Chunduna village of Ganderbal district, after the bullet-ridden body of professor Mohammad Rafi Bhat reached his home on Sunday. It became difficult for the mourners to control tears, as they saw his dead body being carried past them. Most of the mourners were his students from the University of Kashmir.

The 33-year-old sociology professor had been missing since May 4. Later, in a shocking revelation, it was found that Rafi had joined the militant ranks.

Within 36 hours of joining militancy, Indian forces in an encounter at Badigam area of Shopian killed Rafi. He was among the five militants killed in the encounter. The four others were: Saddam Paddar, Bilal Ahmad Mohand, Adil Ahmad Malik, and Tawseef Sheikh, who were the "most wanted" militants from Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Meanwhile, the Internet services have been snapped in Kashmir.

The death of Rafi, who was working as an associate professor in the varsity until Friday, has sent shockwaves across the valley, with students unable to come to terms with the professor's early departure. Even the fellow professors have expressed their sorrow and shock over the news of Rafi joining militancy and his death.

Describing Mohammad Rafi as 'humane', 'polite' and 'caring', professor of international relations at University of Westminster, Dibyesh Anand said, "When he had approached me years ago during a visit to Kashmir University, he came across as the most humane, polite and caring (person). He discussed his wish to pursue research in a subject that his university did not offer, and asked for advice on how not to give up. He mentioned his desire to spread awareness on dangers of use of violence for resistance, and glorification of stone pelting. And now, it is he, who was driven to choose militancy, even though he would have known that it meant certain death."

A research fellow from Kashmir University, Wasim Khan, wrote on Facebook, "My heart was in my mouth when I came to know about the martyrdom of professor Dr Mohmmad Rafi. I am feeling shattered, dejected and thoughtless. He was a great, young, and energetic teacher. My memories associated with him are persistently flashing in my mind, whether that be discussion on Marx's perspective on religion or playing cricket with him in the university. His martyrdom has set a new precedent for the youth of Kashmir. The barbarism unleashed by Indian state has touched an all-time low. How can u kill a professor on the pretext of militancy who does not even know how to operate a weapon?"

Final Call by the Professor:

In his final call to his father – Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, Rafi said that he was sorry if he had hurt his parents, and that he is going to meet Allah soon. As per the reports, the police was tracking the calls from the encounter site. They approached Rafi's father Fayaz and asked him to persuade his son to surrender. Following the instructions, Fayaz, along with his wife, sister and mother had left for Shopian, which is 70 kilometer away from his home. After barely crossing 17 kilometer, the news of professor’s killing reached the parents. Shocked and dismayed after hearing the news, the family returned home.

The Facebook profile of deceased Rafi reads, "Human being first then a Muslim. (sic)"