Indian occupational authorities impose restrictions around Syed Ali Geelani’s grave
Geelani undoubtedly was a person of character, truthfulness, steadfastness: Dr. Ghulam Nabi
Says he was certainly one of most recognizable experts on subject of Kashmir in South Asia
SRINAGAR + Washington ( Web News )
Occupational authorities of India have imposed restrictions around Syed Ali Geelani’s grave at Hyderpora in Srinagar to prevent people from offering Fateha for him on his second martyrdom anniversary, being observed on Sep 1, in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to “SABAH”, Indian law enforcers have also been deployed at Hyderpora, Srinagar, to stop the masses from getting together at the martyred leader’s grave for offering Fateha for the departed soul and no one is allowed to enter the graveyard.
Indoor prayer sessions, including APHC leaders and parties Tehreek-e-Hurriyet Jammu and Kashmir, Democratic Youth Forum, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Association (JKPA) and Chairman Youth Social Forum Maulana MusaibNadvi, Jammu Kashmir Peoples Resistance Party Chairman Imtiyaz Ahmed and Jammu Kashmir Democratic Movement President Prof Zuberi in separate condolence meetings on the 2nd martyrdom anniversary of the great Kashmir leader, said that the struggle of Syed Ali Gilani was a golden chapter in the history of Kashmir freedom movement.
The participants on the occasion paid glowing tributes to the veteran leader and reiterated to continue the freedom struggle in Jammu and Kashmir.
Geelani undoubtedly was a person of character, truthfulness, steadfastness: Dr. Ghulam Nabi
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum on the second anniversary of Geelani Syed Ali Geelani has said that he was a captivating personality, a person with farsightedness, judgment and judiciousness.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai maintained that Geelani undoubtedly was a person of character, truthfulness and steadfastness, addinga legendary and eminent scholar and intellectual as he was certainly one of the most recognizable experts on the subject of Kashmir in South Asia.
He remarked, “The nation of Kashmir honors his illustrious life of courage and determination. Today, the nation of Kashmir is paying tribute to his inspirational spirit and equally paying homage to his life under house arrest for 12 long years, for he dedicated his energies, time and intellect for the freedom of his homeland, Kashmir, the paradise on earth.”
The world needs to know that Geelani Sahib was an incorruptible and conscientious leader. His character was best described by his personal physician who happened to belong to minority Kashmiri Pandit community. Dr. Sameer Kaul said as reported by Rediff.com on October 11, 2010, that ‘Geelani Sahib is an honest and sincere to his people. Geelani Sahib has become incorruptible. 80 percent Kashmiris respect Geelani Sahib simply because he is not corrupt.’
That is exactly what Associated Press reported. AP wrote, “During Kashmir’s recent years of civilian protests, the slogan “Na Jhukne Wala Geelani! Na Bikne Wala, Geelani! (Geelani, the one who doesn’t bow and can’t be bought!)” became almost a war cry on the streets.”
It was also echoed by the New York Times. “A charismatic leader, Geelani was often called “Bab,” or “father” in Kashmiri. His followers would chant in demonstrations: “The one who doesn’t bow, Geelani! The one who can’t be bought, Geelani!”
Syed Ali Gilani proved prophetic when he said during a press conference on October 26, 2009 that “500,000 Biharia will be given Kashmiri citizenship. Six to seven hundred thousand army will be given citizenship to change the demography of Kashmir. India will say OK, let us have a referendum now.” Who could have believed in 2009 that RSS led Modi government will enact Domicile Law in 2020 and issue more than 4.3 million domicile certificate to Indian citizens to change the demography of Kashmir?
History also proved Geelani Sahib right when he wrote to Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, “We believe the concert organized by German embassy in Kashmir will be used by India to legitimize its military Occupation of our land and whitewash its shameful atrocities in Kashmir.” That is what exactly happened when Indian held G20 tourism meeting in Kashmir in May 2023 to give the false impression of normalcy.
Dr. Fernand de Varennes, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues echoed the same ideas, “The government of India is seeking to normalise what some have described as a military occupation by instrumentalising a G20 meeting and portray an international seal of approval.”
A common Kashmir has lost faith in Indian democracy. They are not alone in calling Indian democracy as sham democracy. Even The Washington Post wrote, “Over the years, he (Geelani) had repeatedly said no to any talks with New Delhi, asserting that “India can’t be trusted unless it calls Kashmir a disputed territory, demilitarizes the region and releases political prisoners for a meaningful dialogue.”
Geelani Sahib’s fearlessness and courage was noteworthy, when he wrote to N.N. Vohra, the then Governor of Kashmir, “Tell your state and your people not to soak their hands further in the blood of people who are just asking for their basic human and political right to which each individual and nation is entitled. We call on your conscience to help end this long chapter of deception, tyranny, death and destruction.”
His message to 38th session of the OIC Foreign Ministers conference in Astana, Kazakhstan in June 2011 needs no explanation. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been amply making it clear to the world community that they want to end the ‘forced marriage and occupation’. They made it sufficiently clear through peaceful protests, when millions converged on roads all over the state with one voice: ‘We want freedom’, Go! Go! Go back- India Go Back.”
To the members of Indian Parliament, he wrote, “My words may be harsh as I do not know of any other way of conveying the brutalization which my people have faced because of your state policies. Your remorseless policies of violence have resulted in the death of 100,000 people in last two decades. Your tyrannical policies have facilitated the torture of more than 200,000 people. Your government boosts that they have managed to control the situation in Kashmir and peace is returning according to them. Is the silence of unmarked graves and mass graves, what you call peace?”
To the members of Pakistani Parliament, Geelani sahib wrote, “We are grateful for the support of the nation and the people of Pakistan and expect that politicians and all sections of the Pakistani society will continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Jammu and Kashmir freedom struggle.”
Let us all rededicate ourselves to the vision of Geelani Sahib and continue our struggle in unity with full faith in Allah (Subhanahuwa Taala) to whom belongs victory and defeat, success and failure. May Allah place the soul of Syed Ali Geelani in Jannatul Firdous! Ameen.