SRINAGAR — Veteran CPI(M) leader Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, in a candid interview with The Kashmir Pulse, shared a personal and political revelation that he was the first person in Jammu and Kashmir to be detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
The interview, conducted by journalist Showkat Dar at Tarigami’s official residence, sheds light on his early years, his arrest under Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's government, and the origins of his widely recognized surname, "Tarigami."
Recalling his arrest in 1979, Tarigami said, “I was arrested during Sheikh Abdullah’s tenure as Chief Minister. During a press conference, a PTI journalist, P.N. Jalali, asked Sheikh Abdullah about my arrest. Abdullah responded, 'Woh Jo Tarigam Wala,' referring to my native place. From then on, I became known as Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami in the media.”
Tarigami, who has remained a committed member of the CPI(M), spoke about his unshakable faith to the party's ideology. “I see the CPI(M) as a mission, not just a political party. I've never considered leaving, and no one has had the courage or audacity to ask me to switch sides,” he says.
Since 1996, Tarigami has been a consistent winner in his constituency, securing four consecutive terms as an MLA. However, he now faces a formidable challenge from Jamaat-i-Islami-backed independent candidate Sayyar Ahmad Reshi in the ongoing 2024 Assembly elections, with voting held on September 18.
Tarigami also opened up about his personal life. He revealed that he only has a daughter, Arunima, as his immediate family. His wife tragically passed away during childbirth, leaving him to raise their daughter alone. He spoke fondly of his nephew, Fayaz Ahmad, who lives with him and manages the family's ancestral property, land, and orchards. "Fayaz is like a son to me, perhaps even more," he added.
Reflecting on his early days, Tarigami shared anecdotes about his youth, including the time when he would run behind buses for a lift. “I loved walking, sometimes for miles, rather than relying on vehicles. Those were simpler times,” he said.
He also reminisced about walking on foot to Jammu during the militancy in Kashmir and expressed his confusion over why he was forced to leave the Valley at that time.
The interview also touched on Tarigami’s views on the changing politics of Kashmir, the concentration of wealth in a few hands despite India’s growing GDP, and his experiences during Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s era.
As the 2024 Assembly elections continue, Tarigami’s legacy and commitment to the CPI(M) remain steadfast, even as he faces new political challenges. He is, however, confident to emerge victorious to continue his fifth term as an MLA.
This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse
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