Lal Ded Chair Remains Unfulfilled: A Govt, UGC  Promise in Limbo

(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

 As Kashmiri Pandits observe the birth anniversary of one of their most revered figures, Lalleshwari—popularly known as Lal Ded—the long-promised recognition of her legacy through a dedicated academic chair remains unrealized. Over four years ago, in December 2019,  Ms  Smriti Irani  in the capacity of  Union Minister for Women and Child Development, announced the establishment of 10 chairs named after eminent women across various fields.  The Chairs,  to be funded by the Ministry,  were supposed to be established by  University Grants Commission (UGC). Taking a cue  from his Ministerial Colleague, the  then Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Mr  Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’  on March 16, 2020  announced the same in a written reply to  the Lok Sabha. Among them was the promise of a chair dedicated to Lalleshwari, the 14th-century mystic poet of Kashmir, who is hailed by all religious communities in the Valley. However, despite the passage of time, there has been no tangible progress on this initiative.

The announcement, made with much fanfare, was part of a broader move by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to inspire young women to pursue higher education by honoring female luminaries in India’s history. Along with Lalleshwari, other iconic women were included in this effort, such as freedom fighter Mahadevi Verma, singer M.S. Subbulakshmi, and Maratha queen Devi Ahilyabai Holkar.

Lalleshwari holds a unique place in the socio-cultural and spiritual landscape of Kashmir. Her poetic verses, known as Vakhs, resonate with deep Shaivite philosophy, mystical symbolism, and spiritual enlightenment. She bridged divides, becoming a shared symbol of mysticism, revered by Hindus and Muslims alike. Yet, despite this towering influence, her academic recognition through the proposed UGC chair remains stalled.

The initiative, which promised to fund each chair with an annual financial allocation of ₹50 lakh, was intended to encourage research and knowledge production around women’s contributions to various fields, including literature, science, and social reform. Lalleshwari’s chair was specifically meant to highlight her contributions to poetry and mysticism.

Stalled Progress Amid Ongoing Celebrations

Even as devotees prepare Taher (a traditional  yellow rice dish) and recite her Vakhs to celebrate her Jayanti today, the absence of any substantial movement towards establishing the chair raises concerns about the government’s commitment to its promises. For many in the academic cicles, the chair was seen not only as a symbol of recognition but also as a way to preserve and advance Lalleshwari’s teachings for future generations.

The UGC, in collaboration with the universities, was tasked with appointing scholars and academics to lead these chairs. The criteria were clear: individuals with outstanding academic and scholarly track records, aged between 55 and 70, would be selected through a rigorous nomination process. Despite these guidelines being in place, the progress on appointing scholars to lead the Lal Ded Chair remains elusive.

A Symbolic Loss for Women-Centric Academia

The delay in setting up the Lal Ded Chair is emblematic of a larger issue: the slow pace at which women-centric academic initiatives materialize in India. This chair, like the others announced, was supposed to contribute to research and create spaces for dialogues, seminars, and publications that celebrate women’s historical contributions. Lalleshwari’s chair, in particular, was meant to explore the intersections of poetry, mysticism, and spiritual thought, potentially bridging ancient wisdom with modern academic discourse.

The fact that four years have passed without any concrete developments is disappointing not only for the Kashmiri Pandit community but also for scholars and students who hoped to engage with her rich legacy through academic work.