Geelani parts ways with Hurriyat, cites 'current situation'

Samaan Lateef

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Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 29

Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, 90, today dissociated himself from the Hurriyat Conference (G), which preaches secessionist ideology in Jammu and Kashmir. Geelani, who was part of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) since March 9,1993, before it split on September 7, 2003, has not specified reasons for his resignation.

Geelani founded his own hardline faction, the Hurriyat Conference (G) on August 7, 2004, and was appointed its life-time chairman on October 12, 2004. The other faction, Hurriyat Conference (M), is led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. In an audio message and press statement, Geelani said, “I have decided to distance myself from the Hurriyat, given the current situation. In this regard, a detailed letter has been sent to the constituents of the Hurriyat Conference.”

The resignation has stoked a debate as to how it will alter the political landscape in Kashmir. While prominent leaders of the Hurriyat were arrested or detained in the wake of August 5 decisions, including the bifurcation of J&K into two Union Territories, most of the lower-rung leaders chose to remain silent.

“The era of intermediaries has gone with Geelani’s resignation, leaving it to the youth to deal directly with the government,” said an observer. Geelani, who joined the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in his youth, contested the Assembly elections from his native Sopore in Baramulla district in the 1970s.

He launched an anti-India separatist movement in the 1990s and influenced both civilians and militant outfits with his pro-Pakistan ideology. Geelani suffers from multiple ailments and has undergone major surgeries. He has been under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar since 2013.

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APHC founded on March 9, 1993

The outfit split on Sept 7, 2003

Moderate faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Geelani founded hardline faction, Hurriyat Conference (G) on August 7, 2004

He was appointed its life time chairman on October 12, 2004.