Splits don’t matter, cause is the same: Syed Ali Geelani

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If one looks up in world of words then defiance is a word which conciliates best for a personality known as Syed Ali Geelani. A frail man in mid 80s has strapping will-power that goes unparalleled. Being an intrepid critic of India’s policies in Kashmir and known for his fierce speeches against India, Geelani in an exclusive interview to Rising Kashmir’s Online Editor Daanish Bin Nabi talks about the latest  break up in Hurriyat and other issues involving Kashmir politics. Excerpts:   


  • ·         Authorities don’t allow me to offer Friday prayers, how would they allow our parties cadre to interact with student   
  • ·         We are trying that whole of Kashmir youth join Hurriyat 
  • ·         Whether I am in Delhi or in Kashmir, I work for movement 
  • ·         I appeal for a complete boycott of any elections taking in Kashmir 
  • ·         I got a rousing welcome wherever I went to hold rallies 
  • ·         Politics is a part of Islam   
  • ·         Pakistan should be able to protect its people no matter to which  sect they belong to  


  • ·         What is your take on recent split of Hurriyat and do you think people are fed up with these splits?   

The split of Hurriyat Conference is no issue for us. Hurriyat Conference has split before and in recently as well. The only real issue is people of Jammu and Kashmir are under repression of India. The main issue and our aim are to see people free. These break ups are in no way hurdle of the main objective which is to achieve Azadi. Firstly, there were two Hurriyat’s now the third one has been formed but one needs to understand that every sister party of ours has only cause that is to achieve Azadi. Only our paths are different but the goal is same. Split from one another is no worry for us.  Common people also know about such things that Hurriyat Conference is people’s movement and Hurriyat is with people till the very last. Hurriyat has played very important part beforehand and is doing it presently and will do it in future as well.   

  • ·         In various universities in Kashmir youth wings of various mainstream parties have been formed but we see no such efforts from your organization. Why? 

See this is the problem; the thing here is that the youth of Kashmir should understand that they should desist from joining any political mainstream party and should not help anyone who support the Indian State. Hurriyat (G) youth wing was not formed because one has to take a realistic approach.  Authorities don’t allow me to offer Friday prayers, how would they allow our parties cadre to interact with student. They don’t allow our cadre to go to anywhere is Kashmir for any political activities. Our almost entire leadership has been put behind bars. In such circumstances how can we form a youth wing of our party. And our recruiting policy is not limited to universities only but we are trying that whole of Kashmir youth join Hurriyat.    

  • ·        You are criticized for winter trips you take to Delhi.  What’s your take on it?   

 (Smiling) Now is this an issue as well. My being here or in Delhi doesn’t matter at all. Actually, this time around we had some programs and issue which needed a proper deliberation. Youth should understand this whether I am in Delhi or in Kashmir, I work for movement and for the pious cause. All this has been recorded in books or reported in media. If the need arises I will leave for Delhi as well. We will not leave any stone unturned in serving our own people.

  • ·         Do you think you succeeded in making your boycott call successful during your recent rallies to various parts of Kashmir? 

I want to convey that anyone voting in parliament election or assembly election goes against the sacrifices of the people. Casting votes goes in favour of India who then exploit world community on Kashmir. Examples of such incidents can be seen in a speech by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 15 August 2012, when he spoke only one sentence about Kashmir and said that people of Kashmir have voted in Panchayat elections. And the people who commit themselves and run for Indian election they are the pillars of Indian state in Kashmir. The leaders of such people are from the Unified Command.  It’s under their knowledge human rights violation takes places in Kashmir on huge scale.  People should desist from casting votes to such people whose hands are drenched with blood of innocent people. It even goes against our basic faith that’s Islam. I appeal to every citizen and especially youth should take this call forward with an intellect argument to those who cast vote. And I appeal for a complete boycott of any elections taking in Kashmir.   

  • ·         Do you think your home turf Sopore has responded well to your call as far larger crowd was in Kupwara and Kulgam? 

It’s not like that. I must say I got a rousing welcome wherever I went to hold rallies in recent past and especially in Sopore. As far as Sopore is concerned, Soporian’s love me and they welcomed me like anything. And you can see yourself how people from all walks of life came and attended my rallies. 

  • ·         There are number of youth languishing in various jails of Jammu and Kashmir. Has Hurriyat G any concrete policy for pursuing their cases and subsequently rehabilitating them? 

Hurriyat has created a legal cell for pursuing cases pertaining to youth. We try to meet them in jails and try to resolve their problems. I must say that till now we have not taken all the cases, but we try to do everything best possible in our capacity with whatever resources available with us. As far as rehabilitation is concerned we have always asked people to open Bait-ul-Maal at local level so that people such as released prisoners, orphans, widows or people who get killed can utilize these funds.  Everyone should understand the essence of Baitul- ul-Maal and every effort at local level should be put forth to establish such institutions. While we have  to take certain things in consideration: the head of  such institutions should be people who are honest,  upright and God fearing same as our righteous  Caliphs used to.   

  • ·         Do you think J&K can sustain economically as an independent nation?   

All such type of questions likes economy or foreign policies are created to create confusion among the masses and divert them form real issue in hand. There are two things aid and trade. Like any other state we are ready to have good trade relations with India there is no harm in it. But aid no. We won’t, not even a single grain of it come what may, and we will never accept not even a penny of aid from India. We will never beg for aid. God has given us numerous natural resources; we will utilize our own experts to get our economy going. Bu unfortunately, same as India was golden goose for British; same is Kashmir to India in these times.  In open broad daylight India is despoiling our natural goods same as Great Britain did with India. Deforestation by Indian state takes place on a huge scale every now and then and same is the case with our water resources. Just to quote you one example approximately around 5200kannal of forest land in Shopian has been taken up to built another cantonment which will create environmental degradation as well. Approximately around 3 to 4 Lakh tress will be bulldozed to ground. This is how we are living, our own land is not safe under such militarily presence.  In Kashmir around 28 lakh Kannals of land is under military presence. The misfortune is wherever they see any piece of empty land they grab it under different pretext. Another recent example of such type of oppression is Tos-Maidan case. In Tehsil Bijbehara alone, on around 956 Kannals of land Indian military will be constructing another cantonment. Agricultural, forest and horticulture land is involved there and some of resident houses will be raised to ground for making yet another cantonment. You can see yourself how these people who run for election are trying to sell us and everything that belongs to a common Kashmiri to India just to remain in power and to preserve their own self interests. That’s why the issue of economy does not bother us as we are self sufficient. All this is achievable when India withdrew her of military presenc in Kashmir.   

  • ·         Do you fear for your life after you made a scathing statement on the role played by Tehreek Taliban Pakistan in Pakistan? 

Death is in hands of Allah only and He alone can take life away if He wishes so. There are more than one dozen assassination attempts on my life so far by various sources. But Allah has protected me every time. Tehreek Taliban Pakistan is no worry for me nevertheless the only concern is Pakistan’s stability, wellbeing and its everlasting existence for all Muslims all over the globe. Pakistan should be able to protect its people no matter to which sect they belong to. Their faiths and place of worship protection is a big concern. I am saying it openly and without any hesitation that whatever Tehreek Taliban Pakistan’s is trying to achieve neither Islam gives permission of such acts nor any humanitarian law or any other law consent their acts.   
  • ·         If not politics, what would have been Geelani’s career choice? 

One must understand Islam first. Islam is not a religion it is a way of life. And a person when he accepts this way of life then any mature person will never distinguish his other workings from  Islam. As a mature when I accepted Islam I automatically got involved into politics as well. Politics is a part of Islam, we cannot separate the two. And I assure you when any politician indoctrinates Islam in himself he can never misguide or deceit people like any other common politician.  

  • ·         Who next after you in Hurriyat? 

We have a system in place. This party is not a fiefdom. I am an elected Chairman this time.  As far as Hurriyat is concerned, we have Shoora and democracy in our party. We have party election every time for the selection of chairman and after me who ever gets elected will lead the party.   


Interview conducted on January 14, 2014.

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