Wazir Mohd Hakla Poonchi, Activist

Wazir Mohd Hakla Poonchi

Introduction:

Throughout history, leaders have emerged from various backgrounds, yet the mention of Late Choudhary Wazir Mohd Hakla evokes the image of a profoundly sincere, hardworking, and dedicated figure. His advocacy extended beyond the Gujjar community, as he tirelessly worked for the welfare of all regional communities. His legacy includes raising political awareness and educating remote populations about their rights and responsibilities as citizens of the nation.

Early Life and Background:

Choudhary Wazir Mohd Hakla was born on March 14, 1915, in Village Bandichechian, Tehsil Haveli, District Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory. He belonged to the Muslim Gujjar community and emerged as a prominent Gujjar leader, scholar, writer, philosopher, and intellectual of Jammu & Kashmir. He dedicated his life to social work with sincerity, honesty, and dedication, rendering services for the upliftment of the downtrodden sections of society and advocating for the poor strata of the region.

Advocacy and Contributions:

Hakla particularly raised issues pertaining to the Gujjar community not only in Jammu & Kashmir but also in other parts of the country. He played a vital role in promoting patriotism, communal harmony, and the secular character of India, thereby strengthening national integration. His efforts in communal harmony extended to fostering peaceful coexistence among different communities.

Literary Contributions:

Choudhary Wazir Mohd Hakla authored numerous articles and research papers on Gujjar history, culture, and the Gojri language. He also addressed the difficulties and problems faced by the Gujjar Bakarwal tribe, and his works were published in national and regional print media and the available electronic media of his time.

Development Efforts:

He played a crucial role in the educational, social, political, and economic development of the Gujjar Bakarwal community of Jammu & Kashmir. By continuously highlighting their problems and difficulties before the government, he worked to resolve them and promoted the Gojri language spoken by the community. He was a pioneer in the demand for granting Scheduled Tribe status to Gujjars and Bakarwals of Jammu & Kashmir, initiating this movement in 1958 and working tirelessly towards this goal.

Patriotism and Defense Efforts:

Choudhary Wazir Mohd Hakla defended India during the wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971. He assisted the Indian Army in times of crisis, motivated the Muslim Gujjar Bakarwal community to cooperate with the army, and educated them to counter Pakistani attackers during the war.

Recognition and Honors:

In recognition of his services, the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Jain Gujjars of India unanimously honored him with the title of “WAZIR-UL-QAUM” (Leader of the Community) at an all-India level Gujjar Samelan held at Kotla Mubarakpur, New Delhi, on January 7, 1973. Choudhary Wazir Mohd Hakla passed away on August 10, 1977.

Commemorative Postage Stamp:

The Department of Posts is pleased to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Choudhary Wazir Mohd Hakla, recognizing his fight for national unity and harmony in the region of Jammu & Kashmir. His enduring legacy as a leader and advocate for communal harmony, national integration, and the upliftment of the Gujjar community remains an inspiration for future generations.