Srinagar, Jan 28): Ardent supporter of Kashmir resolution and the last surviving member of the constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, Krishna Dev Sethi passed away in Jammu on Thursday morning. 

Family sources said that Krishna Dev Sethi passed away at his residence in Jammu at around 4 am in the morning.

With his death, an era of ideological politics of Jammu and Kashmir came to an end.

Sethi’s son, Achal Sethi, who is Secretary to government, department of Law and Parliamentary Affairs said that he passed away at his Jammu resident at around 4 am in the morning after a brief illness.

Achal Sethi said that he was not keeping well for the past 2-3 months, however, his health condition worsened a couple of days ago and today he breathed his last.

The 93- year-old Sethi, who was a strong votary of resolution of Kashmir issue, was the last surviving member of the constituent Assembly, which framed the constitution of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

He also represented Nowshera Assembly segment of Jammu and Kashmir. He is survived by his son, Achal Sethi and daughter Dr. Poonam.

Sethi was born in Mirpur, now in Pakistan Administered Kashmir, in 1927 and was now presently residing in Talpathri Mohalla in Jammu.

Achal Sethi said that he moved to Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 and initially associated with the National Conference when the “Quit Kashmir” movement was launched.

He said that Sethi was associated with politic since 1938-39 and he was also jailed during the “Quit Kashmir Movement” during the regime of Hari Singh.

He said that when Sethi moved to Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 he was appointed as Rehabilitation officer for rehabilitation of population in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Achal Sethi said that he was the first member of the constituent assembly and in fact he was the only surviving members of Jammu and Kashmir constituent assembly.

He said that Sethi was also the member of the first legislative assembly. “Basically he was left-leaning, a communist and there after he left the Sheikh Abdullah led NC and initially he was the first member of the politburo of CPI (then united). Thereafter he was extreme leftist movement,” Achal Sethi said.

He said that thereafter Sethi started writing articles and he has his own Urdu newspaper also known as “Judojahat” and he just stopped writing 6 or 7 months back.

He said that Sethi has also written his autobiography “Yaad-e-Rafta” and he was widely respected in Azad Kashmir also and in fact, he was the only leader who was widely respected here and there also.

Sethi was cremated at Jogi Gate cremation ground in Gujjar Nagar area of Jammu in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Sethi’s death was widely condoled across political and social spectrum.

Former chief minister and National Conference vice-president, Omar Abdullah in Tweet said; “Sorry to hear about the demise of Jb Krishan Dev Sethi. He was the last surviving member of the Constituent Assembly of J&K and a former MLA. My condolences to his family & prayers for the eternal rest of his soul.”

Former chief minister and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti also condoled the demise of Krishan Dev Sethi.

In a Tweet, she said; “Deeply saddened to know of Sethi sahab’s demise. I was hoping to see him in Jammu. He treated me like a daughter & will always be an integral part of my childhood. Will miss his wisdom & guidance.”

People’s conference president, Sajad Lone in his Tweet said; “One of pioneers of leftist politics in J & K, a loved leader and a passionate speaker Mr KD Sethi passed away. Will be greatly missed. A liberal to the core. RIP.” Meanwhile, Apni Party chairman Syed Altaf Bukhari also condoled the demise of Sethi stating that the deceased was a visionary and his contribution will be remembered for ever