RIYAZ UL KHALIQ
KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Wullar Kinaray, autobiography of Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairperson and former Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) leader, Syed Ali Geelani’ s third volume was released Sunday afternoon.
At the book releasing function held at senior Hurriyat leader’s office-cum-residence at Hyderpora saw quite a few disturbances due to short spell of wind followed by rain. The venue of the function was changed three times!
Two volumes of Wullar Kinaray have already been released and the third volume, which is said to be important, covers author’s noted diary 1995 onwards up to 2014.
Reviewing the book, Geelani’s life time associate, who too was associated with JeI, andTehreek-i-Hurriyat (TeH) General Secretary, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai said that the book is history of resistance movement itself.
“One thing which distinguishes this self written biography from others is this that Geelani Sahab has wrote about the events or incidents where he himself reached,” he said adding, “But, he hasn’t touched those areas of our struggle where mistakes have been committed; may be his view of those things could have helped us in moving in right direction.”
Noted columnist, Z G Muhammad in his review said that the concept of formation of All Parties Hurriyat Conference was wrong.
“This idea of establishing a forum is wrong; no nation in world has ever established such a thing because forums are not for practicing politics but for discussions,” he said.
He said that Kashmiri separatist leaders are there where they were in 1924.
“When Lord Readings visited Kashmir in 1924, Kashmiri leaders of that time presented him a charter of 17 demands and the same charter is followed today by Hurriyat leadership,” he said.
Further, he added that Geelani has mentioned in his biography that when former president of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharaff, publicised his ‘Four Point Formula’, he had ‘lost self confidence’.
“Geelani Sahab has wrote Musharaff was undergoing mental depression and had lost self control which is not the case,” he told the gathering adding that Lakhanpal was the first person to write about such a concept of managing borders jointly followed by other Think Tanks which actually was adopted by General Musharaf.
“It was Lakhanpal first followed by CRDP New Delhi and finally Musharaf put it (Four Point Formula) into public domain; Musharaf had not lost any mental balance, he was a soldier and soldier has his nuts intact!,” he asserted referring to his opposition to the formula.
ZG Muhammad related Geelani’s Wullar Kinaray to biographies of Nelson Mandela and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
“Two things are common in Geelani Sahab, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali Jinnah that are: Objective and faith in achieving their goals and second thing is indomitable will – we can achieve it!,” he said that reader gets to feel such things after biographies of the three leaders.
Senior journalist and former BBC Kashmir based Correspondent, Altaf Hussain, also reviewed the book and said that after reading the Wullar Kinaray his memories of 1990s revived. “It gives reader a graphic description of 1990s.”
He said though he used to review book while working in BBC or Times of India, it is for the first time that he is standing and reviewing the book of Geelani.
“I have not reported much from Jammu region but Geelani Sahab’s mention of his visit to Jammu gives you complete paradigm of situation which occurred at that time,” he said. “I got to know many new things although I myself was reporting from ground,” Altaf maintained.
Altaf further said that a leader of Geelani’s stature must know what happened when Hizbul Mujahideen declared Cease fire in 2000.
“When Geelani Sahab touches this subject he has not explained the context and what happened behind the scenes,” he said.
He said Geelani writes in Wullar Kinaray, “India, Pakistan too were surprised over the declaration of cease fire announced by Hizbul Mujahideen in 2000.”
He said, however, the differences or closeness Geelani is having with JeI but he has done post mortem of JeI.
“A reader gets to know Geelani saying that those who say Kashmir is a political problem actually differentiate between Islam and politics,” he said referring to Geelani’s association and differences with Jama’at-e-Islami on the Kashmir and dispute and finally the emergence of Tehreek-i-Hurriyat.
He said that Geelani has been very honest while narrating the anecdotes of late Qazi Nisar. “Geelani has mentioned that late Qazi Nisar would say that Kashmir has two categories of people: one freedom lovers and those who are interested in achieving material gains only,” he said adding people would get a complete new view of late Qazi.
He also referred to migration of Kashmiri Pandits and said that he is witness how BJP opposed settlement of KPs in Jammu.
“Ashok Khajuria of BJO met the then governor of J&K and asked him not to settle KPs in Jammu,” he said while refreshing his stay in Jammu and working for various media organizations.
Altaf said that he wanted to write some blog on KP townships but his collection of his works got destroyed in floods. “I went to ToI office in New Delhi and asked them to give me copies of my work,” he said adding ToI asked for Rs 1200 each copy after which he shunned the idea. “The good thing about this gathering is this that Geelani Sahab started writing about Kashmir and which is a need; I have done work and am unable to write now!”
He also said that Geelani has been very honest writing about his own mistakes as well.
“Geelani Sahab has mentioned the event when he asked people, who had gathered at TRC ground in Srinagar on August 18, 2008, whether they accepted him his leader which snowballed in to a controversy thereafter and Geelani had tender apology same evening,” Altaf said referring to his son’s call, who is outside state, in which he had asked Altaf whether Geelani has written anything about himself.
Human Rights defender Khurram Pervez said that the book shall be a reference on resistance literature.
Referring to Geelani he said, “Leader he is; he has evolved in to a witness as well!”
He said that floods are common in valleys but those living in valleys take measures to mitigate the destruction.
“People move to highlands but in case of Kashmir, the highlands-Karewas– have been already occupied by Indian army, so where will people go?” he asked. He said floods have been occurring in Kashmir after every sixty years and they shall continue.
Referring to the report – Occupational Hazard – recently released by JKCCS of which Khurram is coordinator, he said the floods did not happen due to Gunah. “It was God’s grace that human loss was less unlike what happened in Uttarakhand a few years ago.”
He alleged that the Indian establishment is working on a plan to divert the water of Kishenganga River to Wullar Lake which will increase the water level in the lake.
“Increase in water level means the areas adjoining the Wullar lake will always be threatened by floods and people will living in the areas shall be dependent,” he said adding, “Neelum valley of Azad Kashmir too will dry up.” He said that the plan to divert the water through a tunnel and Nallah Madhumati was prepared under Congress politician and former Union Water Resources Minister Prof Saif Ud Din Soz.
He said that former UPA minister, Jai Ram Ramesh, visited valley a few years ago who said that Wullar will be restored. Wullar Lake which shall increase its water level and people will be left with no work,” he said adding the idea behind this water diversion is to make Wullar a reservoir for Power generating projects in Uri.
He said that Geelani has ridiculed people participating in elections but the author is not accepting the coercion on part of establishment. “Once a delegation went to Mufti Sayeed’s Nowgam residence and asked him for road to their area. Mufti retorted them and asked them to first vote and then they will get roads and other things,” he said narrating the incident.
He further ridiculed Geelani over his remarks on participation for Peoples Conference (PC) in elections. “Geelani Sahab had asked for public inquiry in to the allegations of PC supporting candidates in assembly elections of 2002 but why hasn’t the author mentioned about Abdul Khaliq Haneef who was a Jama’at-e-Islami leader?” he asked. A close confidante, Abdul Khaliq Haneef was secretary to Geelani in JeI but later on turned unionist politician and participated in elections as well.
He also said that when Geelani feels that ‘wrongs’ of others shall be publicised “why didn’t he put in public whatever happened between him and JeI when TeH came in to being.’ “Everything happened behind curtains; why didn’t you publicise it the?” he asked Geelani.
He said that people are expecting something out of election boycott.
“People ask what we got when hundred percent boycott happened. You can’t blame them,” he said.
He said, “Geelani Sahab has been eulogising JeI structure and its way of training its members; the author has written the JeI has been the best platform for over all character building but there are some members in JeI who did against it and are bad in their actions,” he said suggesting Geelani that he how can he expect ‘steadfastness’ from common people who are not ‘trained’ anywhere.
“What does the statement of former JeI Ameer suggests when he said that people should generate the character of Mother Teresa. The same Bhat would ask youth to make Salahuddin Ayyubi as their role model earlier?” he asked Geelani.
He also said that Geelani has not mentioned the role played by three militant commanders: Sheikh Hamid, Firdous Kirmani and Shabir Siddqui.
“Their contribution has been huge. They worked dusk to dawn for the formation of All parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC),” he said negating the view of Z G Muhammad who said that creation of APHC was wrong. “The coming together of leaders from different ideologies and working under APHC was a great success,” he replied to Z G Muhammad’s assertion.
Khurram also narrated how then Hizb Commander’s return to Kashmir and said, “Abdul Majid Dar returned to Kashmir from Pakistan via Dubai and then to New Delhi and eventually declared cease fire.”
“It is said Hurriyat opposed Dar’s cease fire that time and Prof Abdul Gani was the front runner; When Dar returned to Kashmir, it would not have been possible without the consent of India and Pakistan as well,” he said referring to his visits of Pakistan. “People in Pakistan told me that Dar left Pakistan in know-how of Pakistan establishment,” he said. “Prof Abdul Gani Bhat should be held accountable why he opposed Dar’s peace process and pleading for same peace process,” he asserted.
Kashmir Bar Association president, Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom said that JeI has a huge contribution in the struggle of people.
He also said that the people should respect what author has been successful in writing. “We should not say the author has touched this issue and left that issue rather it is greatness of the author that he has penned down these things,” he said.
He referred 2008 uprising chapter of 2008 and said that Geelani has criticised people for celebrating the cancellation of allotment of land to Amarnath Shrine Board.
“Nayeem Khan came to me and said the government has cancelled the order and we should stop calling for further Hartals. I asked for the order copy which he didn’t. Khan also made Mirwaiz Umar to call me and he also said the same thing. I asked them to first get the order copy of cancellation of allotment of land,” he said adding then in a meeting at Jamia Masjid “a hand written copy was shown to me”.
“It was decided in that meeting that people should celebrate the success,” he said asking Geelani that people should be given chances of celebrations.
Referring to creation of APHC, he said, “It is not n1993 but meeting to form a forum started in January 1990; people wanted a political forum and APHC was outcome.”
Legal expert Dr Sheikh Showkat said that there is difference between a biography and a research work.
“It is the work of researchers now to write on Kashmir and make people aware of the events that unfolded, how and why but authors have their own perception of things which should be respected,” he said referring to Geelani’s works.
Child paediatrician and noted civil society activist, Dr Altaf Hussain preside over the function and said, “Kashmiris have been disappointed by leaders; leaders have deceived Kashmir and its people but now people are keeping watch.”
“Geelani Sahab has been transparent, so far,” he said adding he has did what others could not. “People spent years in jails but wrote nothing but Geelani Sahab put things in perspective and made references for future generations.”
Explaining how he completed writing Wullar Kinaray, Syed Ali Geelani said, “I do not sleep after Fajr prayers rather I write up to breakfast after which I go through newspapers.” “Whenever I went to Jammu region, my Secretary Altaf Hussain accompanied me and once Ayaz Akbar too came along,” he said adding that on his instructions the duo kept record of every meeting and deliberation with people and which finally found place in his 3rd volume of autobiography.
He accused BJP of making Jammu RSS camp. “Jammu region is being cut from us; when we try to reach out to people of Jammu, we are stopped,” he said adding OIC – organization of 57 Muslim nations – have failed in supporting Kashmiris and Palestinians.
He said that when Mufti Sayeed came in to power, three persons were killed since then. “They were innocents. Mufti is running the show of RSS in state.”
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