Interview with Syed Ali Shah Geelani
Kashmir Watch
Feb 23, 2011
Syed Ali Shah Geelani is among the astute leaders of the
valley who supports "Right to Self Determination" and "Freedom" of Jammu & Kashmir from India. This octogenarian leader hails from Sopore, Kashmir
and holds a key position in All Parties Hurriyat Conference (G). In 2010 he launched "Quit Kashmir Movement" against Indian rule which lasted for
several months mostly with shutdowns and strikes. Lately he has become notorious for his novel strategy called "Calendar formula", to achieve a
greater cause called Aazadi from modern day colonial power India. In an exclusive interview with Sumera Reshi the Kashmir Watch, correspondent in new
Delhi Mr Geelani threw light on some latest developments happening in the Middle-east vis-�-vis India, Pakistan and freedom moment in
Kashmir.
Q1. In light of Sacchar Committee report, how do you perceive the future of Muslims in Indian?
We as Muslims have to keep
our identification intact, whether they, be religious or cultural. Muslims in India are in minority and Muslims as minorities have to fight back
collectively as well as individually for their rights. Until the Islamic rule prevails Muslims can't achieve their cherished goal.
Q2.
Even though, Muslims in Pakistan are in majority, yet the plight of Muslims is not what it should have been. Why so?
Since the inception of
Pakistan, they lack leadership. The country never established itself on the basic principles of Islam and this is the reason why anarchy prevails over
there. They are bound to fail if they don't stick to Islamic principles.
Q3. The commission report on the massacre of Sikhs is out in
public and this time Indian media downplayed the findings. Would you like to comment upon it?
Well it is their routine work to highlight one
thing and leave another one, depending upon their interest. Even Khushwant Singh commented about the massacre of Sikhs. He said 10,000 Sikhs died and
some 13, 000 Sikhs have yet to get justice. Indian democracy is hogwash. It is in paper and the massacre of Sikhs is an example of India being a fake
democracy. They fear us. Since past two decades Human Rights violations are rampant everywhere in Kashmir. Indian media will never highlight such
things as they can't go against their own national interest. Till date they were never objective in their approach, so why be
surprised.
Q4. Don't you think a non-religious movement and an Awami Tehreek can be much powerful in Kashmir? And how do you perceive the
recent revolution in Egypt, does it have any bearing on Kashmir?
A revolution doesn't happen over night or occur in isolation. It has to have
a stimulus either in the form of suppression or gross human rights violations. Even humiliation can be a great motivator for a revolution and same is
the case with us. In Egypt, the uprising was against hegemonic and monarchical regime prevalent there for longer. The best thing in Egyptian intifada
was the support of military to overturn anarchy. In case of Kashmir, we are being ruled by third generation Sheikhs (Omar Abdullah), but we are also
under colonial power of India. In our case it is a third party involvement which is responsible for our present state of chaos. No one can deny the
bearing of such revolutions as they do have a halo effect. So there is every possibility of having its impact on Kashmir too. You better know what
happened in 2010 agitation, innocent people died. Security personnel with the help of administration tried their best to browbeat ordinary Kashmiris,
but then what happened, the chaos spread everywhere. It become an uncontrollable agitation like a cancer and posed a biggest threat for Sheikh
Dynasty.
Q5. Thus far, we haven't achieved anything and it seems as if our Aazadi dream is failing. As a senior most Kashmiri politician
what do you think are the reasons for such a loss?
We shouldn't be nervous at all. We have to be patient. Great things come with great efforts
and demand great sacrifices. We have the will and determination and inshallah we will continue our freedom struggle to its zenith, no matter what may
come in. We have to and we will continue our march towards that long cherished goal called Aazadi. Another reason being we do have black sheep among
us too. They try to malign our pious struggle of freedom and I have no grudge because it happens everywhere. I don't ant to name them and I guess
everyone else knows them in Kashmir.
Q6. There are so many divisions among pro-freedom parties and surely these fissures are weakening
resistance movement against India. Would you like to comment on this?
I and my party have no confrontation with anyone. Whosoever claims to be
fighting for "Right to Self Determination", we support them. It is likely that we might differ so far as ideologies are concerned but we are all
fighting for a common cause and in this regard we have no divisions. Our approach could be different but destination is one and all, Freedom from
India. And believe me divisions can occur in any group but if your own people are demoralizing you, then that is harmful and painful
too
Q7. The opposition Party PDP stayed silent during 2010 agitation. How do you comprehend their silence, are they your supporters
or?
It doesn't matter whether they keep mum or speak out loud; all of them have the same agenda of supporting India either in the guise of
Self Rule or Autonomy fallacy. Surely they can't be our supporters.
Q8. So far as the selection of KAS and Judiciaries are concerned, you
also know a major share goes to Jammu. How do you see these developments?
We should look at the reality and it is a grave problem in Kashmir. I
am also aware of it, but we shouldn't be hopeless at all. These are the strategies of colonial powers, so we have to be courageous and fight back for
all the conspiracies.
Q9. Indian secret agencies have taken precautionary measures to avoid protest a la Egypt in Kashmir, according to
sources and the examples are the arrest of Shakeel Bakshi and Mustaq-ul-Islam, including several other youths. Could you please comment on this
strategy and would you be planning such type of mass uprising this summer in Kashmir?
Well, future is reasonably unpredictable. Nothing is
certain as of now but who knows what will happen tomorrow. We can take lessons from Egyptian revolution and apply that in Kashmir but that again
depends upon the situation.
Q10. A wave of public anger against the Muslim rulers has erupted at a large scale in the Middle-East. Do you
think it can have a larger impact on the polity of Kashmir?
We are actually a confused lot. We don't know what we want. We have no clear
goals. In Egypt military helped them in getting their revered dream of democracy. We are fighting a foreign occupying force. To be ready for Egyptian
type of revolution that took entire world by surprise, we need to create that kind of mind set. We have to come out of the state of confusion and
determine clear objectives of what we want and what we need for that objective.
Q11. Do you still believe that the armed struggle should
continue in Kashmir when the world is again going Gandhian way?
No comments please (a cold silence prevailed, his eyes became restive for a
while).
Q12. Social Networking sites like Facebook and Twitter emerged as a tool to mobilize the uprising and the youth also kept the
outside world updated about the turmoil in Kashmir. Do you believe such social networking sites can truly bring in a massive change in the outlook of
people or should the practice be encouraged or discouraged?
Charactered life is the basic need for our youth. I strongly discourage the trend.
This is the right time for our youth to build their character based on the basic tenets of Islam. Moral character is the need of the hour. I don't
think that such sites can bring in a massive change in the perception of people until you believe in the real cause.
Q13. Your health is
wearing out day by day. Haven't you chosen your successor yet?
I haven't chosen any successor. My party has a constitution and whenever the
need arises they will elect the right person. Tehreek -e - Hurriyat has full mandate to choose any capable person for the post.
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