From Mard-e-Momin to Hartal uncle, an asset Pakistan never wanted to lose

Rohit Bhan

In the heart of Kashmir’s summer capital in 2008, a 79-year-old cheered on by a delirious crowd declared: “Secularism nahi chalega, nationalism nahi chalega, subaiyat nahi chalega... Yahan sirf aur sirf Islam chalega... Islam ki nisbat se hum Pakistani hain aur Pakistan hamara hai. (Secularism won’t work here, nationalism won’t work here, provincialism won’t work here. The only thing that will work is Islam. Because of the relationship of Islam, we are Pakistani and Pakistan is ours).”

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As he egged on thousands to chant Inshallah, Inshallah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani made his “unwavering” commitment to the Pakistan’s cause in a state deadlocked in decades of bloodshed. Now, with the fountainhead of the Hurriyat laid to rest in Srinagar at age 92, the most strident secessionist voice of Kashmir during its three-decade-long militancy has been stilled.

Geelani was in electoral politics for almost 30 years. He contested elections eight times — five for the state Assembly and thrice for Parliament. He won Assembly elections from Sopore in 1972, 1977 and 1987.

He was the head of the political wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami. His rise as a prominent separatist leader, beginning in the early 1990s, coincided with a surge in militancy. Geelani tried to distance himself from terror groups, but the links of outfits such as Hizbul Mujahideen with the Jamaat were too stark to be ignored.

When the Hurriyat Conference was formed in 1993, he was the sole representative of the Jamaat. Following differences with other leaders, he split Hurriyat in 2003.

From 1993 to 2019, Kashmir saw the worst in terms of militancy and witnessed what came to be known as Kashmir’s “intifada”. At the call of Hurriyat leaders, young stone-pelters hit the streets, targeting security forces. In the subsequent clashes, many young lives were lost. Geelani was bestowed with the sobriquet of “Mard-e-Momin” (Man of God) by many impressionable young people.

And while his rise as a seemingly unchallenged separatist leader continued, he drew criticism for encouraging and glorifying militants. The creation of terrorists like Burhan Wani was seen as fallout of his preaching.

The Indian intelligence set-up was also accused of soft-peddling on him even as he freely travelled to Delhi and held events for the Kashmir’s “cause”. Many saw it as an attempt to win him over, but he remained a staunch Pakistani asset till the end. The scrapping of Article 370 and failing health left Geelani seemingly inconsequential towards the end, but he managed to cement his place in Kashmir’s chequered history.

Stood his ground

Saddened by the news of Geelani sahib’s passing away. We may not have agreed on most things, but I respect him for his steadfastness and for not wavering from his beliefs. May Allah grant him jannat. — Mehbooba Mufti, Former Chief Minister

Backed pak’s cause

No doubt, Geelani was the tallest among the separatist leaders, but Pakistan had backed a ‘wrong hawk’. He was the last man standing in the Valley to back Pakistan’s cause. — AS Dulat, Former Chief, RAW
Always in action

Geelani was in the thick and thin of ever-changing situation in Jammu and Kashmir. His views on Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan remained a single-point agenda during his political activism. — Ashok Prasad, Former DG, J&k Police

Deep condolences

Heartfelt condolences to the family of Syed Ali Shah Geelani sahib. He was an esteemed colleague of my late father. May Allah grant him jannat. — Sajad Lone, People’s Conference Leader

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