On Friday, April 18, Mr Syed Ali Geelani, the leader of the Hurriyat (G) had claimed that two of Narendra Modi’s emissaries — both Kashmiri Pandits had met him in Delhi on March 22 and proposed talks with the BJP leader towards making a “commitment” to seek a solution to the Kashmir issue.
“I told them that since Mr Modi is an RSS man and has taken oath on the RSS ideology, he would not be ready for a realistic approach on the Kashmir issue.” Mr Geelani said. He has also made allegations against the other faction of the Hurriyat, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. His claims have not only drawn severe criticism from the BJP which outrightly denied Mt Geelanis claims, but has also infuriated the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat (M). His statements have almost led to a feud among a section of the separatist leadership.
Hurriyat (M) accused Mr Geelani of creating a vicious atmosphere.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of Hurriyat (M) slammed Mr Geelani for making such a statement. “Geelani is working against the interest of Kashmir. We have given our blood for the cause of Kashmir. He has no right to make these irresponsible statements. We want to make it absolutely clear that he is creating a vicious atmosphere. I don’t know whom he wants to get killed, who his next target is,” said an angry Umar Farooq. Terming the allegations leveled by Hurriyat (G) chief as fabricated and baseless, he said, Geelani wants to malign our image. I fail to understand what secret talks he is always talking about and how it can lead to solve Kashmir dispute. If Geelani has any proof, why is he not making it public? Mirwaiz said his faction of Hurriyat has never held any secret talks with anyone. We are not in league with Indian establishment.
Terming Mirwaiz Umar Farooqs press conference as a kneejerk reaction which according to it was unwanted and uncalled for, Huriyat Conference (G) Saturday stated that it has not named any leader meeting BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modis emissaries.
In an interesting development, The Hindu newspaper carried a story, quoting highly placed intelligence sources that Syed Ali Shah Geelani indeed received a visitor from a key partner-party in the National Democratic Alliance. As per this story, the sources identified one of the two visitors as Sanjay Saraf, a Kashmiri Pandit activist who represents Ram Vilas Paswans Lok Janshakti Party in Jammu and Kashmir and heads its national youth wing. The second visitor was ML Mattoo, a former legislator from old-city Srinagars Habbakadal neighbourhood, who is also active in Kashmiri Pandit politics. Mr. Saraf admitted that he had met with Mr. Geelani in Srinagar four weeks ago, but said the visit was prompted by concern over the ageing leaders ill-health. Though my Lok Janshakti Party is now part of the National Democratic Alliance, Mr. Saraf said, I have never carried any messages on behalf of the BJP, and would never do so.
Given that the general elections in India are underway right now and these elections will also be held in the valley as well as the coming assembly elections in the Sate later this year, this particular statement from Mr Geelani has created a lot of confusion and left a bad taste. Rather than keeping it under a cloak of secrecy, Mr Geelani would be well advised to clearly name the two emissaries of the BJP who he claims met him at his residence. He should also back his claim against the Hurriyat (M) with proof, rather than firing such salvos.
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