Syed Ali Shah Geelani, for so long the face of separatist movement in Kashmir, passed away recently on 1 September 2021 at his Hyderpora residence.
While he stepped down as the leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference in 2020, he had a long history of struggle against Indian regime for the right of self determination to Kashmir according United Nations promised plebiscite of 1948.
Here we take a look at some facts about the life of Kashmir’s most hardline separatist leader that you must know to somewhat understand his life and idealogy.
1) Syed Ali Shah Geelani completed his higher studies in Pakistan.
Geelani was born in a village called Zurimanj near Bandipora, (now Sopore tehsil) in the Baramulla district, on 29 September 1929. After finishing his earlier studies in Sopore, he went to Lahore which was a part of India and under British rule at that time.
He studied in a madrasa attached to the Masjid Wazir Khan and later enrolled in the Oriental College. He completed Adib ‘Alim, a course in Islamic theology.
2) Influenced by Jamaat-e-Islami founder Maulana Abul A’la Maududi.
While working as a school teacher at Rainawari in Srinagar Syed Ali Geelani came in contact Saaduddin Tarabali, a follower of the Jamaat-e-Islami founder Maulana Abul A’la Maududi.
Geelani would later borrow a book of Maududi from the local book store, which made a deep impression upon him. He was to later say, Maududi had “beautifully.. expressed the feelings that lay deep down in my own heart”
3) Early Political Forrays
In the 1970s and 80s, Geelani was elected to the legislative assembly three times, from Sopore. He was elected again in the 1987 assembly election in Kashmir. He accused Indian government of rigging the election and which triggered an armed militancy in the region.
As the militancy grew, Geelani resigned his seat, in 1989. He became opposed to any participation in Indian democracy. He would stand by this ideology till his last breath.
4) Hurriyat and Geelani
Ever since the 90’s when Hurriyat, a united political front to raise the cause of Kashmiri separatism in the region was founded, Syed Ali Geelani has been its tallest leader.
During his time with Hurriyat he was elected its chairman for life in 2003.
Even when the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, split up into two factions in 2003, Geelani led Tehreek-e-Hurriyat was seen as the faction with more weightage due to his presence. He was separately elected as chairman for a three-year term in September 2013 for Hurriyat (G).
He led various protests against India, calling for shutdowns in response to the deaths of unnamed suspected militants, local militants and death of civilians in Kashmir.
On November 29, 2010 Geelani, along with writer Arundhati Roy, Maoist Varavara Rao and three others, was charged with sedition.
The separatist leader remained undeterred however, continuing his hardline stance against India. This led to numerous detentions, house arrests and police cases.
5) Stance against India.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it is important to reaffirm here that Syed Geelani was perhaps the most hardline separatist Indian political fraternity had acquainted itself with.
He refused to bend, bow or break in face of strict and strong action by the various Indian governments over almost three decades. Slogans of “Na jhukney wala Geelani, na bikne wala Geelani”—The man who doesn’t bow, the man who doesn’t compromise filled the skies. Geelani maintained his stance of self determination for Kashmiris during various rallies.
In February 2014 he said prisoners in Kashmir “are the victims of custodial violence and are harassed in Indian jails especially in Tihar Jail“.
Geelani would only support a dialogue process aimed at resolving Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state.
In the summer of 2016, following the death of the militant commander Burhan Wani, massive uprising began in Kashmir, Geelani led a slogan campaign against the India’s crackdown in Kashmir from the confines of his residence. He painted on his wall: “Go India Go Back.”
6) Stance against Pakistan
He was as one of the few leaders, arguably the only one who stood up to both India and Pakistan snubbing anyone who did not support the right to self-determination for Kashmir.
Geelani would only support a dialogue process aimed at resolving Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state. But he believed that dialogue between India and Pakistan starts under diplomatic compulsions, and it is nothing but just a time delaying tactics.
He said, “Kashmir is not any border dispute between India and Pakistan which they can solve by bilateral understandings. It is the issue concerning future of 15 million people. The Hurriyat is not in principle against a dialogue process but without involvement of Kashmiri people, such a process has proved meaningless in the past. We don’t have any expectations of it being fruitful in future too.
A reported recalled an account of of a meeting between the pro-freedom leader and Pervez Musharraf, when the latter was serving as president of Pakistan. Geelani was apparently so tough on the Pakistani premier that Musharraf never invited him for talks again.
7) Kashmir
Geelani said that while Pakistan supported “the indigenous struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, morally, diplomatically and politically … this does not mean Pakistan can take a decision on our behalf.”
While Geelani’s personal opinion about Kashmir was that it be merged with Pakistan, he stood up against both Indian and Pakistani governments, including former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf, who did not support Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
Geelani consistently demanded an adherence to the plebiscite promised to Kashmiris .
In the last few decades, Geelani refused any proposal from Governments of India and Pakistan and was consistent in his demand for the United Nations promised plebiscite of 1948.
He refused talks with Indian regime citing heavy military presence in the region. The Hurriyat leader was seen as the figure of resistance after Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the founder of the National Conference fell from Kashmiris’ graces after he signed an agreement with the Indian side, even surpassing him in mass followers.
8) Refusing Autonomy.
Geelani led a simple and modest life in his home in Hyderpora, where he was under house arrest since 2010.
Staying true to his hardliner stance in perhaps his most hardest and biggest decision, Syed Ali Shah Geelani refused the proposals for self-rule or autonomy that had been offered by the People’s Democratic Party and the then ruling National Conference.
Instead he appealed to people of Kashmir to boycott the 2014 J&K Legislative Assembly Polls.
In Kashmir, even the tallest political leaders have eventually lost credibility, after compromising on the demand for autonomy but Geelani remained unbent.
8) Literary Works.
He had completed Adib ‘Alim, a course in Islamic theology and penned down various works that detail an important part of his ideology and his personal experiences during his political struggle. Some of his written works include:
- Rūdād-i qafas (transl. Story of jailhouse), 1993. Author’s memoirs of his imprisonment.
- Navā-yi ḥurriyyat (transl. Voice of Hurriyat), 1994. Collection of letters, columns and interviews on Kashmir issue.
- Dīd o shunīd (transl. Acquaintance), 2005. Compilation based on answers to the various questions relating to Kashmir issue.
- Bhārat ke istiʻmārī ḥarbe! : Kurālah Gunḍ se Jodhpūr tak! (transl. India’s colonial wars: From Kralgund to Jodhpur), 2006. Autobiographical reminiscences with special reference to his struggle for the liberation of Kashmir.
- Sadāʼe dard : majmuvʻah taqārīr (transl. Cry of pain: collection of speeches), 2006. Collection of speeches on Kashmir issue.
- Millat-i maz̤lūm (transl. Nation of oppressed), 2006. Collection of articles and columns on various issues of Jammu and Kashmir with special reference to autonomy and independence movements of Kashmir.
- Safar-i Maḥmūd z̲ikr-i maẓlūm (transl. Journey of the commendable account of the oppressed), 2007. Compilation based on answers to the various questions relating to Kashmir issue.
- Maqtal se vāpsī : Rāncī jail ke shab o roz (transl. Back from the gallows: night and day in Ranchi jail), 2008. Autobiographical reminiscences.
- Iqbāl rūḥ-i dīn kā shanāsā (transl. Acquaintance with Iqbal’s spirit of religion), 2009. Study on the works of Muhammad Iqbal.
9) Final Chapter
In June of 2020 Geelani, would finally step down from the leadership of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of several pro-freedom parties.
Shortly the government of Pakistan conferred its highest civilian award, Nishan-e-Pakistan, on Syed Ali Shah Geelani on 14th August, 2020.
Geelani reportedly developed breathing complications and died around 10:30 p.m. on 1 September 2021 at his Hyderpora residence in Srinagar, due to prolonged illness.[17][77][78] His son Nayeem alleged that the police forcibly took away his body and buried it, while they refused to attend the funeral.[79] Dilbag Singh, the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, however denied the allegations.[80]
Restrictions on travel and internet were imposed in Kashmir soon after Geelani’s death.[81][82] A FIR was later registered against his family members for anti-national activities.[83]
Kashmiri political leaders,[84][85] as well as members of Government of Pakistan, condoled his death. Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered flags to be flown at half-mast to mourn his passing.
Even after his death it seemed as if haunting those he opposed, people angered at having been kept from Geelani’s funeral and with the imposed restrictions, gathered in various areas in in the city, such as in downtown Srinagar in the Nawa Bazaar area in old Srinagar. Some pelted stones. The security forces fired teargas shells and pellet guns at the protesting civilians.
Geelani’s final chapter is written while Kashmir’s story goes on.