Syed Ali Shah Geelani

Syed Ali Shah Geelani. سيد علي جيلاني (born September 29, 1929) [cite web | title=Geelani calls himself | publisher= Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45002809.cms] is a prominent separatist leader from Jammu and Kashmir, he favours the accession of Kashmir to Pakistan. Though he is a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, he has also formed another party for the struggle of breaking away from India and securing the self-determination for the great people of Kashmir, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, which is a component of All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

Kashmiris will fight till the last drop of blood for independence according to geelani cite web | title = ‘Islam is our source of inspiration and sacrifices’ | publisher= The Milli Gazette |url= http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/15042001/inter.htm]

Early life

Syed Geelani was born in the town of Sopore, which is located in the district of Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir. After his preliminary education in Sopore, he went on to graduate from the Oriental College in Lahore.

Geelani has managed to make the life of Indian troops difficult with the support of people of kashmircite web | title=Sidelined |publisher = Kashmir Observer |url=http://www.kashmirobserver.com/tabloid3.htm] He has two sons named Naseem and Nayeem, and five daughters.

Literature

He is responsible for murder and rape of minority Hindus.He is very extream in his views and wants Kashmir to be governed by sharia laws.He is a fully backed by ISI and Pakistani establishment.Indian government is taking care of his security and even he is getting pension from Govt.of India.His childred are well settled in India and other parts of world but he is using poor and ignorant people to wage a unholy warSyed Geelani has been an aficionado of Terrorism, history and poetry for most of his life. He has been influenced from the writings of Nasim Hijazi, Allama Iqbal and Maulana Maududi.cite web | title=Sidelined |publisher = Kashmir Observer |url=http://www.kashmirobserver.com/tabloid3.htm] He has authored more than thirty books and booklets about various topics in Urdu, which include the current separatist movement, his experience in jail, and his political beliefs. His books "Roodad-e-Qafas", and 'Kralagund se Pakistan tak', describe his views on what he went through in prison. cite web | title=A peep into Geelani's mind | publisher = Kashmir Observer |url=http://www.kashmirobserver.com/tabloid2.htm] The books also provide the analysis of others who were imprisoned along with him. Another book that he has written is "Maqtal sey meri Vaapsi" (A Return from the Execution Grounds).cite web | title=A peep into Geelani's mind | publisher = Kashmir Observer |url=http://www.kashmirobserver.com/tabloid2.htm] In this tome Geelani mentions that he is constantly being put in jail for his pro Pakistan views, and for refusing an offer from the Indian intelligence to "play a double role" for them.cite web | title=A peep into Geelani's mind | publisher = Kashmir Observer |url=http://www.kashmirobserver.com/tabloid2.htm] It also mentions the reasons why the current terrorism began, describes in detail the violations of human rights being committed by India, and explains his reasons on why Kashmir should merge with Pakistan. In his latest book, Safar-e-Mehmood Main Zikar-e-Mazloom, Geelani states that Islam is the inspiration in their struggle against "oppressive Indian troops". cite web | title= Geelani’s Safar-e-Mehmood Main Zikar-e-Mazloom released | publisher =Kashmir Watch | url=http://www.kashmirwatch.com/showarticles.php?subaction=showfull&id=1182906866&archive=&start_from=&ucat=3&var0news=value0news]

Political Stances

Geelani does not think that the current peace process between India, and Pukistan has helped resolve the conflict.cite web | title=Newsline Interview |url=http://www.newsline.com.pk/NewsNov2004/cover4nov2004.htm] He has blamed this on India, citing that they have not accepted Kashmir as a disputed territory, and have declared it an "integral" part of India.cite web | title=Geelani Interview | publisher=Rediff.com | url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/may/06inter.htm] [cite web |title= Geelani gives Centre the cold shoulder | publisher=Economic Times |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/247232.cms] Additionally, Geelani has stated that there cannot be a peaceful solution until human rights violations such as custodial killings, rapes and arrests by PPuk-trained terrorists are stopped.cite web | title=Geelani Interview | publisher=Rediff.com | url=>http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/may/06inter.htm] He has also said while Pakistan has shown flexibility in its position, India continues to be rigid in its stance. Geelani believes that India is "cheating Pakistan", and that it has no intention to solve the dispute. cite web | title=Newsline Interview |url=http://www.newsline.com.pk/NewsNov2004/cover4nov2004.htm] He has also accused the Indian government of changing the demographics of Kashmir, by giving non-locals state subject certificates - required in order to buy land in Kashmir under Article 370 of India's constitution - in order to make the Kashmiri people a minority in their own land.cite web | title=Geelani accuses India of changing Kashmir’s demography | publisher=Greater Kashmir | url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=13_5_2007&ItemID=20&cat=21]

Although most of Geelani's criticism is directed at India, he has also criticized the Pakistani government. When asked about Pakistan's policy regarding Kashmir he stated "your strategy is to shake hands with the people who play with our lives, rape our daughters, arrest our people, kill them and discard their bodies in police stations".cite web | title=Newsline Interview |url=http://www.newsline.com.pk/NewsNov2004/cover4nov2004.htm] He has also criticized the Pakistani media for not reporting violations of human rights in Indian-administered Kashmir due to fear of undermining the peace process.

Geelani has blamed Pakistan's recent handling of the conflict largely on ex-President Pervez Musharraf. He has said that Musharraf is succumbing to pressure from India and the U.S., and that he is "fearful of India's military and economic power and has no faith in himself or his people". [cite web | title=Musharraf dreads India, US | publisher =Hindustan Times | url=http://www.hindustantimes.in/news/181_1861532,000900010002.htm] Geelani also states that Musharraf does not have support from the people of Pakistan regarding his position on Kashmir. He has told Musharraf to "leave us alone", if he cannot support the Kashmiris the way Pakistan has been doing since 1947.cite web | title=leave Kashmiris alone | publisher=Calcutta News | url=http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/232931] He has gone as far as to call the present regime headed by Musharraf an enemy of the Kashmiris, while maintaining that the Pakistani people remain their allies.cite web | title=Kashmir Affairs Interview | url=http://www.kashmiraffairs.org/interview_geelani.html]

To solve the conflict Geelani has said that India must withdraw its military, end human rights violations, and hold a plebiscite with the people of Kashmir deciding to join with either India or Pakistan.cite web | title=Involve Kashmiris in peace process | publisher=The Hindu |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/18/stories/2005041809830100.htm] Any other solution such as self-rule, joint control, demilitarisation, or more autonomy for Kashmir, is opposed by Geelani, who says self-determination which was promised by India and the United Nations is the only acceptable solution.cite web | title=India rigid, indifferent on Kashmir | publisher=News Network International |url=http://www.nni-news.com.pk/lastNode.php?transfer=yes&secure=yes&pointer=5258] Geelani admits that some of the population would prefer independence from both India and Pakistan, but he does not believe an indepedndent terrorist Kashmir would be feasible, as Kashmir's neighbours including China would not accept it.cite web | title=`Independent Kashmir not feasible' | publisher=Business Line |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/businessline/2001/10/30/stories/043085ju.htm] However he later stated that an independent Kashmir could be a possibility, as it would be choosing the lesser "evil", with "the bigger evil being Pakistan.........ref name="Independent Kashmir an option">cite web | title= Independent Kashmir an option |publisher= Greater Kashmir |url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=30_5_2007&ItemID=67&cat=1]

Pandits

Regarding Kashmiri Pandits, he is of the opinion that "We want to live with our Hindu and Buddhist Yindu rice-eating brothers. We have never pressurized anyone. Hindu brothers who left Kashmir were never told by us to leave the state. They had to leave by the order of Jagmohan the then governor of J&K- leave or be killed ...It was the Indian government that asked them to leave Kashmir. cite web | title = ‘Islam is our source of inspiration and sacrifices’ | publisher= The Milli Gazette |url= http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/15042001/inter.htm] cite web | title = ‘amr nath yatra should be managed by local hindus instead of non kashmiris’ | |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/india/story/2008/06/080623_amarnath_geelani_awa.shtml]

When the real agenda of Gilani is to have an Islamic government in place and when already more than four lac Kashmiri Pandits have been forcefully evected from their mother land he is joing showing lip sympathy.There is a slogan in Kashmiri which was propagared by APHC and militants that " ase kay ghachey ek pakistan bhatav rostuv batnav saan" whivh means we want Pakistan without male Kashmiri Pandits but with their female folks.Gilani must know that his forefathers were also PanditsGeelani has been diagnosed with renal cancer, and has been recommended by doctors to go overseas for treatment. After Prime Minister Manmohan Singh intervened, Indian government agencies returned Geelani's passport to his son.cite web | title=Visa | publisher=IndiaDaily.com | url=http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/16014.asp] His passport was seized in 1981 due to accusations of "anti-India" activities, and with the exception of his Hajj pilgrimage in 2006, he has not been allowed to leave India.cite wCHutiya Wahabbi Saufgi Paki Adsshole Nuke Pakistan and the SDaudis and North Korea and Iran...Fucking Mossieseeb | title=Cancer-hit Geelani to Travel Abroad | publisher =MedIndia |url=http://www.medindia.net/news/view_news_main.asp?x=18910] cite web | title=Ailing Kashmiri separatist | publisher = Gulf Times |url=http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=136912&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22]

During a regular check-up doctors discovered that Geelani's "only kidney has developed malignancy".cite web | title=Kidney malignant | publisher=Kashmir Live |url=http://www.kashmirlive.com/story/Geelanis-only-kidney-malignant-he-wants-treatment-abroad-/24841.html] An infection forced doctors, four years ago, to remove his left kidney. Although the cancer was in its early stages, it was life threatening, and he needed to have surgery. Following the advice of his doctors at Apollo Hospital, Geelani was set to travel to either the UK or the USA for specialized treatment.cite web | title=Cancer-hit Geelani awaits | publisher =India News |url=http://www.indiasnews.net/story/232351] However his request for a visa was turned down by the Americans, and as his health deteriorated he went to Mumbai for surgery. Doctors at the Tata Memorial Hospital successfully performed surgery on his kidney.cite web | title=Geelani Operated in Mumbai | publisher = Kashmir Observer |url=http://www.kashmirobserver.com/index.php?id=2134] The reason given by the U.S. for turning down Geelani's request for a visa was, that he has" failed to renounce violence". This decision was declared a violation of his human rights by his supporters and family.cite web | title=US visa denial is rights violation | publisher=India eNews |url=http://www.indiaenews.com/india/20070329/45196.htm] On his return to Srinigar, the capital of Kashmir, Geelani was welcomed by a rally of thousands of supporters chanting pro-Pakistan, and pro-freedom slogans.cite web |title=Pro-Pakistan slogans at rally to welcome Geelani | publisher=Yahoo India News |url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/070422/43/6euwv.html]

Criticism

He has been called the "biggest hurdle" in order to achieve unity among the separatist of Kashmir by the Awami Action Committee, which is headed by Mirwaiz Omar Farooq.cite web | title=AAC calls Geelani "biggest hurdle" in separatists unity in JK | publisher =OutLook India | url=http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=510782] Omar Abdullah has blamed Geelani for the rise in militancy and bloodshed in Kashmir, while his father Farooq Abdullah has urged him to follow a path which would "save Kashmiri people from further destruction".cite web | title=Farooq, Omar lash out at Geelani | publisher = The Hindu | url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/29/stories/2007042902651000.htm] cite web | title=Farooq asks Geelani to adopt a path which can save people | publisher =The Hindu | url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200709081922.htm]

In India Geelani has been criticized by the BJP for raising "anti-national views". cite web | title=Slap sedition charges on Geelani: BJP | publisher = The Hindu | url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/24/stories/2007042405001200.htm] He has faced criticism for saying that non-Muslim Kashmiris should leave the valley, after four individuals raped a Kashmiri girl, two of them being non-Kashmiris.cite web | title=Geelani’s Faux Pas | publisher =Meri News | url=http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=125988]

In Pukistan, Geelani has come under criticism from President Musharraf, for opposing the Srinigar-Muzaffarabad bus service between the two Kashmir's.cite web | title=Musharraf flays Geelani's opposition to bus link | publisher=The Hindu | url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200504182167.htm]

Notes