Hindu Man Donates Land to Muslim Journalist After JDA Demolishes His Home in Jammu

Suhail Khan

JAMMU, NOV 28: In the cold, settling dust of his demolished dreams, Arfaz Ahmed Daing, a Jammu-based journalist, stood watching a lifetime of savings and sacrifice reduced to rubble by the jaws of an earthmover. Just hours earlier, the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), accompanied by police, had razed his family home to the ground, citing an “anti-encroachment drive.”

From this tragedy, however, emerged an inspiring story of people uniting to help one another.

On Friday, as videos of the demolition spread rapidly across social media, triggering outrage and despair, an unexpected phone call pierced through Daing’s grief. The voice on the other end belonged to a stranger, a non-local man moved by the images of a fellow human’s loss.

The man identified as Kuldeep Sharma donated a five-marla plot of his own legally owned land to Arfaz Ahmed Daing, providing the journalist with a place to call home again. Not stopping there, the donor also vowed to personally bear the expense of rebuilding the house.

In a video accessed by The Kashmir Convener, the donor explained that he was motivated by a deep sense of shared humanity. He stated, “When I saw what happened to him, I could not sleep. This is not the Kashmiriyat I know. This is not the India I believe in.” He added, “If I have been blessed with resources, their true purpose is to be a shelter for my brother in his hour of need.”

He expressed dismay toward political parties, including the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference, stating, “What is being done in this country today, pitting Hindu against Muslim… but this brotherhood will never end.” He affirmed, “I will not let my brother suffer, and I am donating five marlas of land to him.”

Emphasizing the seriousness of his pledge, the donor said, “I am not only announcing this, but I will also provide a written document stating that I am donating five marlas of land for the construction of a house for the journalist.” He appealed to the administration, saying, “Do not inflict such hardship on people. They have small children; where will they go? How can we live in this country and still be rendered homeless?”

In the video, the journalist’s father is seen tearfully expressing his gratitude to the people of Jammu. “The way they have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in this time of sorrow is enough. For me, this is perhaps the greatest achievement in this world, to receive so much love because of the good work my son has done,” he said. “No matter that our house was demolished, my son’s voice of truth cannot be silenced.”

Through his tears, he stated, “It has reaffirmed my faith that humans live on this land of Jammu. It does not matter which class or religion one belongs to—Hindu, Sikh—all are standing with me in this sorrow.”

For Daing, a freelance journalist known for reporting on social and human rights issues, the demolition felt like a “targeted move.” The JDA, however, maintained the action was part of a routine drive to retrieve state land, asserting that all due process was followed.

Official statements offered little solace to a man watching his walls crumble. “Everything I had built for my family was gone in hours. The feeling is indescribable,” an emotionally drained Daing confessed in the immediate aftermath.

That feeling has now been replaced by stunned gratitude. “I have lost one home, but I have found a hundred brothers. This man, whom I had never met, has given me more than just land; he has given me back my faith in humanity,” Daing stated, his voice thick with emotion.

Daing, quoted by The Wire, admitted that the house was built on JDA land. However, he clarified that the house was registered in his father, Ghulam Qadir’s, name, who had built the single-storied structure approximately 40 years ago.

He alleged that while the J&K High Court had directed the JDA to remove encroachments from certain areas of Jammu, no action was taken against “influential people.” “We received a demolition notice from the JDA, but it was issued in my name, even though I didn’t own the house,” Daing said. “They were clearly after me due to my journalism. The legal process was discarded. Whatever has been done is unconstitutional. I am confident that the courts will give me justice, but it may take years. Where will I take my family until that time?”

This act of kindness has sent ripples across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, becoming a powerful symbol not of anger, but of compassion.

Social activist Sameer, speaking to Kashmir Convener, stated, “In a land often scarred by division, this spontaneous act of giving has become a headline more powerful than any conflict.”

He contrasted this act of unity with recent political tensions. “For the past week, we have witnessed an escalating political controversy over admissions at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME). The dispute erupted after a cohort of students, reported to be predominantly Muslim, gained admission to the institute, which is funded by donations to the Hindu shrine. Hindu organizations and BJP leaders have protested, arguing that the institute should prioritize Hindu students.”

“But this act,” Sameer emphasized, “is a powerful message to all that we are one. No matter one’s religion or community, what truly matters is that we stand together in times of joy and sorrow.”

Echoing this sentiment, local resident Shakeel Ahmed told Kashmir Convener, “In our unity, no bulldozer can break us. For decades, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs have lived together here with the spirit of ‘Itihaad Zindabad’ (Long Live Unity). We cannot be silent when a journalist’s home is demolished; we stand with him in his sorrow.”

Meanwhile, breaking his silence, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that demolition drives have been carried out without the knowledge or approval of the elected government. He characterized the action as a “deliberate conspiracy” to embarrass and undermine the administration chosen by the people.

Speaking to reporters, Omar as per Kashmir Convener said officers appointed by Raj Bhawan were using bulldozers without consulting the concerned minister or taking the elected government into confidence. He said such actions clearly suggested an attempt to “embarrass and undermine” the government elected by the people.