NATIONAL CONFERENCE

In the sixth annual session of the Muslim Conference on March 24, 1938 A.D. Sher-i-Kashmir in his presidential address suggested that the nomenclature of the Muslim Conference should be changed to make it a secular party. Then again in working committee meeting held on June 28, 1938 A.D., a resolution was passed recommending the general council to change the name of Muslim Conference. The party leaders had already set in motion to discuss the various problems with likeminded Hindus and Sikhs who welcomed the change in the attitude of the party and started to join the organization and were ready to gave any sacrifice to attain the goal of responsible government. On August 29, 1938 A.D., a manifesto signed by Shiekh Mohammad Sadiq, Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beigh, Pt. Prem Nath Bazaz,Pt Kashap Bandu, Sardar Budh Singh,Pt.Jia Lal Kilam, Bakshi Gulam Mohammad,Pt. Sham lal Saraf,Mian Ahmad Yaar and Dr. Shambu Nath Peshin was issued with demand to change the existing system of administration so as to enable the people to form the government of their choice. This was a turning point when the leaders of Muslims,Hindus and Sikhs formed a joint front to launch satyagrah to achieve this goal.

In follow-up action to the resolution passed by Working Committee of Muslim Conference on June 28, 1938,a special session of the party was held on June 10,1939.A.D. under the chairmanship of Kh.Gulam Mohammad Sadiq which was attended by 176 delegates. After through discussion on the change in the name and constitution of Muslim Conference, the resolution was passed by a majority of 173 and only 3 votes against it. Thus, in the historic session of 1939, the Muslim Conference,was dissolved and a new political party named National Conference was dissolved and a new political part named National Conference was founded and some leaders of the Hindu and the Sikh community were also made the founder members of the National Conference.

1. A Muslim Waqf was created to look after the Mosques etc. which were earlier under the control of the Muslim Conference.

2. The green flag, with the cresent in the middle, was replaced by a red flag with the plough in the middle.

3. A new working committee of twenty-one members and a general body of fifty-one members were constituted with due representation by the non-Muslims.

4. The members of J&K National Conference were required to take the following oath.
"We on oath declare that we will maintain the unity among the different classes of the people and offer every possible sacrifice for the attainment of liberty and responsible government in the State”.