Srinagar, Nov 11: The Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Wednesday rejected ‘alliance with mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir for the proposed dialogue with New Delhi,” saying they accepted Kashmir as an integral part of India.
Addressing students and teachers in the lawns of the University of Kashmir, Geelani said, “The dialogue with National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Congress or CPI (M) won’t yield any results as these parties already accept Kashmir as an integral part of India.”
Geelani, who offered afternoon prayers in the campus, said he was not against dialogue. “But that is possible only when India accepts Kashmir as a disputed territory and implements the United Nations resolutions on it. Once New Delhi accepts it, we will be ready to negotiate on the modalities for implementing the resolutions.”
He asserted Kashmir would attain freedom even if the entire world went against it. “It is a myth that Kashmir is an integral part of India. It is a big lie, as big as Himalaya. The United Nations has accepted it as a disputed territory in all its resolutions passed on Kashmir over the years. We will get our right even if the whole world takes a stand against it.”
Rejecting self-rule, internal autonomy or Musharraf’s 4-point formula as a means of resolution, Geelani said the fight in Kashmir was only for right to self determination. “We demand immediate implementation of all the UN resolutions which India and Pakistan have failed to do so far.”
Geelani made a “surprise visit” to the university. “My sole purpose to visit here was to donate my books to the University library. But it didn’t look nice that police stopped me at the gate,” he said.
Geelani was greeted by scores of students, who offered prayers after him. They shouted pro-freedom slogans.
The Hurriyat chairman said seven lakh troops were stationed in Kashmir to “control population.” Condemning the “army’s occupation of land in Kashmir,” he demanded complete withdrawal of troops from the state.”
He said the conglomerate saw Jammu and Kashmir in its 1947 geographic position. “We don’t believe in disintegration of the state. There are around 40 to 45 per cent Muslims in Jammu and they are our brothers. We share a human bond with non-Muslims of all other regions of the state and we want to take everyone along in this movement.”
He urged the Bar Association to plead the case of victims of Shopian double rape and murder in the court. “We don’t trust CBI which has complicated the case in an attempt to hush it up,” he said.
He reiterated that the movement against “occupation of land by troops” was peaceful and use for force against it was “uncalled for”. He underscored the need for keeping the movement absolutely peaceful and non-violent.
Geelani said he had tried to visit the University last Wednesday, but he was stopped outside his residence and taken into custody.
“I have no grudge against anyone’s person at the university and came here just to donate my books on Iqbal to the Allama Iqbal library,” he said, adding he had received two degrees from the university.
Geelani urged the intellectuals and scholars to realize their responsibilities towards the ‘nation’. He said they should work towards character building. “You have a role to play in disciplining this society and you should come forward for it.”
Replying a question from students about his successor as a pro-freedom leader, Geelani said, “You (students) should develop your character so that you can lead the nation after me.”
Urging the authorities to focus on the promotion of Urdu language, Geelani said,
“Urdu is our asset and it is the responsibility of the University to promote it giving it the status that it deserves.”
He said the university Tarana should have its Urdu rendering and the logo too should have slogans inscribed in the language. “The Kashmir University logo has the slogan inscribed in Arabic, English and Hindi but we appeal the authorities to incorporate Urdu as well, which happens to be our official language.”

GEELANI ARRESTED
 Meanwhile, police arrested Syed Ali Shah Geelani outside the Kashmir University gate when he was leaving for home minutes after addressing students. He was shifted to Humhama police station, sources said.
 “Soon as he came out of the campus, police stopped his vehicle and asked the driver to leave. They took Geelani Sahab to an undisclosed location along with his vehicle,” a Hurriyat (G) spokesman said.
 Geelani was under arrest till the reports last came in.
 The spokesman was apprehensive that Geelani’s arrest might be an attempt to thwart next program of the Hurriyat which was scheduled in Kupwara district of North Kashmir.
 “Geelani was expected to visit Kupwara from the University. Once he reached any safe spot we would have made our program public,” he said.
 “We fear he may not be released before Friday. We strongly condemn his detention,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST