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Geelani hardens his pro-Pak stand

Josy Joseph in Srinagar

All Party Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani seems to be setting a political course independent of the APHC, complicating the political scenario in the Valley.

His inflexible stand has been gaining him increasing support among both locals and militant groups.

APHC, the 23-party political conglomerate, has been left clueless with Geelani reiterating his stand that Kashmir is a religious problem and the state's accession to Pakistan the only solution.

Recently, at a seminar organised to commemorate the fifth anniversary of human rights activist Jalil Andrabi's death, Geelani surprised everyone by saying that Islam is the "source of inspiration for the ongoing struggle in the Valley."

This is in contrast to the Hurriyat stand, which believes that Kashmir is a political problem and its solution lies in talks between India, Pakistan and Kashmiri leaders.

Hurriyat leaders believe that Geelani's assertion is an attempt to show himself as a cut above the rest and appease himself to the militants.

However, the outcome of his stand could be disastrous, says a senior Hurriyat leader. "His stand could throw the present unity in Hurriyat into turmoil again," he said.

Geelani's has toughened his stand only in the recent times, after his election to the World Muslim League.

While his view that Kashmir is an Islamic problem has won him kudos from militant groups, his stand is not even endorsed by Jamat-I-Islami, to which he belongs.

Hurriyat in the recent times had asked Jamat to withdraw Geelani from APHC. Jamat, however, has not heeded to this call.

Ever since this Hurriyat request in early March, Geelani has not been invited to APHC executive committee meetings.

Hurriyat on its part has been trying not to precipitate the issue, by reiterating last week that it would not change the composition of the team for talks in Pakistan. Gheelani is part of the five-member team.

Indian government is yet to clear his travel documents.

"Now the chances of us getting travel clearance look slimmer in the wake of his (Geelani's) hardening position," admits another Hurriyat leader.

Some Indian officials here see Geelani's stand as a tactical ploy to upset the proposed Pakistan tour and emerge as the most acceptable political face in the Valley.

They rule out the possibility of Geelani breaking away from the Hurriyat. However, Gheelani has been holding weekly meetings of ex-militants at his residence.

There are no definite plans on Geelani's part to float any new forum, say informed sources. However, the fact that he is turning out to be the most vocal and assertive of the political leaders is increasingly endearing him to the local population of the Valley. There is no denying the fact that his popularity is growing.

Geelani's recent call for a strike to protest the alleged burning of Quran in Punjab received tremendous support from both locals and militant groups.

Hurriyat could only issue condemnation of the burning, as Geelani walked away with the credit for the violent protests.

With the cease-fire outliving its utility and militants stepping up attacks, the local population has been displaying their anger at the administration by taking to streets like never before. There is also definite swelling of support for foreign militants.

In some instances recently, locals came out in the open, snatched away bodies of slained militants and gave them martyr's burial.

Though authorities here dub this as the population's attempt to side with the militants, who seem to have the upper hand at this stage, it sure is an indication of a new phase in the ongoing struggle.

The Kashmir Cease-Fire: The Complete Coverage

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