Qazi Shibli
The brewing summers of 2008 introduced the newer generation of Kashmiris to a man, who would later go on to take lead in the civilian uprisings that unfolded in the consecutive years. “Kaun Karega Tarjumani, Syed Ali Shah Geelani.” (Who would lead Kashmiris? to which the crowd responded, Syed Ali Shah Geelani), was a common slogan heard in that year.
Locally celebrated with the names of “Bab” (Guide), “Qaid” (leader), his stance, and an uncompromising stance on his beliefs, a strong cadre base ensured his prominence among Kashmiris. He was one of the most heard and respected leaders in the valley. On Wednesday, as the night grew dark, the rumours that had been spread for a while in Kashmir ended- Geelani is no more.
After prolonged house detention and illness, the Hurriyat leader breathed his last on Wednesday at around 1020 PM, as per the family members.
As the news spread across the nooks and corners of the valley, people reached mosques and announced the news of his demise through loudspeakers asking others to come out of their houses. The Government Forces responded promptly and laid a siege around Rehmatabad, the residential area of Geelani in Hyderpora, Srinagar.
Videos were soon out on Social media showing a heavy deployment of Government Force personnel outside his house. Journalists, including photographers from The Kashmiriyat, reached the spot, however, they were disallowed to march in or cover his last rites. Several journalists defiantly stood back and tried finding a way to reach the house of the deceased leader.
The Inspector-General of Police speaking to the press said that only relatives and neigbours of Geelani would be allowed to participate in his last rites. He also announced restrictions and snap-down of phone communication, as a precautionary measure. The Forces erected barbed wires around his house to disallow “unwanted” movement near his house.
Around 3:15 AM on Thursday, Geelani’s body was taken out of his house and buried quietly at a cemetery located just outside his residence. The funeral was held under tight security, eyewitnesses told.
Nayeem, who is the elder son of Syed Ali Shah Geelani alleged that the police forcibly took his father’s body. “We had sought time till 10 am Thursday so that our relatives could join the funeral prayers and be present at the burial,” his son said. He said that Geelani had expressed that he should be buried at Srinagar’s Mazaar-e-Shohada- a graveyard meant only for martyrs.
The authorities rejected the same and said that they wanted Geelani to be laid to rest at the nearby graveyard “in an hour.” Nayeem also alleged that the police authorities snatched his father’s body and forcibly buried him after pushing and overpowering the family members and even scuffling with the women of the house.
The Inspector-General of Police for Kashmir range rejected the allegations and said the Police facilitated the funeral of the deceased leader. “The Police helped them carry the body from the house to the graveyard,” the Police said while calling the claims by Geelani’s son baseless and fabricated.
Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s death has brought to an end a chapter of pro-resistance politics in Jammu Kashmir.
Profile of Hurriyat Leader
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who pursued higher education in Lahore, was born in Sopore on September 29, 1929. He returned to Kashmir after finishing his degree in Islamic theology in the 1940s.
He, then, worked as a teacher for few years before he joined Jamaat-e-Islami. Geelani worked as a teacher in Srinagar for several years, and in 1952, he was selected as a basic member of the socio-religious party.
In 1959, he resigned from his government job to devote himself full time to the Jamaat-e-Islami. He, soon, rose to become the district president of Kupwara and Baramulla districts of Kashmir.
Immediately after he joined the Jamaat-e-Islami, Geelani was arrested in 1962 on the charges of “raising the Kashmir issue,” and remained jailed for nearly 13 months.
After his release, he was made the General Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami. He was re-arrested in 1965. Geelani was elected as a member of the Legislative assembly for the first time in 1972 for the Sopore assembly seat.
He won the 1977 elections, as well, but lost the seat in 1983. In 1987, when Muslim United Front- an amalgam of socio-religious organizations gained prominence, Geelani too participated in the elections and won the Sopore seat.
In 1992, the foundation of Hurriyat conference- an amalgam of 30 pro-freedom groups was laid. The Jamaat-e-Islami was represented by Geelani.
In August 2004, Geelani parted ways with Hurriyat. Along with his associate late Mohammed Ashraf Sehrai, he launched the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.
In the year, 2006, former President of Pakistan, Parvez Musharraf offered India his Four-Point Formula, free cross-LoC movement, self-governance, phased withdrawal of troops, joint mechanism toward a final resolution to resolve the Kashmir issue, and Geelani opposed it.
Geelani emerged as a prominent face during the civil uprisings post-2008. It was the first time when both factions of the APHC, civil society, and business organizations led a movement when large tracts were transferred to a Shri Amarnath shrine board.
Next year, he launched a “demilitarization movement” against the rape of Asiya and Nelofar in Shopian. In 2010, when three civilians were killed in a “fake encounter” along the LoC in the Machil area of Kupwara district, a mass uprising was triggered and Geelani was placed under house arrest.
Geelani issued protest calendars during the three consecutive years from 2008. In 2016, after the killing of Burhan Wani, he issued similar protest calendars.
In 2018, Geelani opposing the possible revocation of the special status of Jammu Kashmir said, “It is a matter of grave concern.”
He also warned that it would be a “do-or-die matter for the people of Kashmir”.
He suffered from kidney-related ailments since 2002 and had one of his kidneys removed due to problems. Geelani’s health deteriorated over the past 18 months.
His close associates remember him as a staunch pro-Kashmir leader who never budged down despite facing an unending harassment from the state.
“Geelani sahab did not compromise on his stance. He always supported the cause of the people of Kashmir. He would go to any lengths but would not compromise on his principles,” a close associate of Geelani told The Kashmiriyat.
He said that in the meetings of Hurriyat Geelani often reminded us, “Qadr o Keemat mai hai khoon jinka haram se badh kar, Un Shaheedo ki Diyat Ahl-e-Qaleesa se na maang.” (Their blood is precious and divine Like precincts of the Holy Shrine, do not ask for the rewards of their blood from the oppressors.)
He breathed his last at his Hyderpora in Srinagar at around 1020 PM on Wednesday, a family source told The Kashmiriyat.
Death Widely Mourned
The people of Kashmir are in a complete state of shock over the demise of the senior most Hurriyat leader.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan took to Twitter and condoled the demise of Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani. He tweeted, “Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kashmiri freedom fighter Syed Ali Geelani who struggled all his life for his people & their right to self-determination. He suffered incarceration & torture by the Occupying Indian state but remained resolute.”
Mehbooba Mufti, the former chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir, said, “Saddened by the news of Geelani sahab’s passing away. We may not have agreed on most things but I respect him for his steadfastness & standing by his beliefs. May Allah Ta’aala grant him jannat & condolences to his family & well wishers.”
Sajad Lone of People’s conference wrote, “Heartfelt condolences to the family of Syed Ali Shah Geelani Sahib. Was an esteemed colleague of my late father. May Allah grant him Jannat.”