Ehsan Fazili/Srinagar

A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof Riyaz Punjabi, Padma Shri, passed away at his New Delhi residence on Thursday.

He had been earlier associated with the Law Department at the University of Kashmir and later was appointed as its Vice Chancellor, the position from 2008 to 2011.

His death has been widely condoled in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere for his contribution towards peace and Kashmiriyat.

He has written extensively in the field of Kashmir Studies and projected Kashmir culture through his publications, lectures and discussions. “He has described the spiritual continuity of different faiths in Kashmir that culminated in the form of Kashmiriyat.

His article “Kashmiriyat: The Mystique of an Ethnicity” published in the India International Centre quarterly in 1990, was translated in several Indian languages and reproduced in several national and international publications.

He set up a voluntary research group, the Centre for Peace Studies in New Delhi in 1994. The think tank was into research and debate on human rights, peace, spiritual unity and human brotherhood.

The group later became International Centre for Peace Studies.   

Prof Punjabi was awarded Padma Shri in 2011. Earlier in 2008, Prof Punjabi was awarded an Honorary Professorship at the International University Vienna for his contribution in “Strengthening International Relations in the Sphere of Education”.

He also received Amity Academic Excellence Award from Amity International Business School in 2009 in addition to other awards. He has been the author of six books and a number of articles published in several national and international publications.

A cross-section of society has condoled Prof Punjabi’s death. Vice-Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad and other officers and functionaries of the University have also condoled the demise of Prof Riyaz Punjabi. 

Prof Talat Ahmad recalled the contributions of Prof Punjabi as KU Vice-Chancellor as well as his rich academic and literary pursuits. “Prof Punjabi’s contributions to the growth and development of this university will always be remembered and recalled”, Talat said.

Leaders of various political parties including the Congress and National Conference social and cultural organizations have also condoled  his death.