Mainstream politicians must learn a lesson from this confirmed separatist, who, despite his known anti state stance, appreciated the gravity of the situation and made an honest effort to stop young and budding Kashmiris from making the streets of the valley red with their blood, writes B.L.Saraf

Kashmir valley has been on the boil for the last two months. The streets are painted with blood of  the young and the old. The practitioners of the convenient and opportunistic politics have gone in hibernation. However,  Syed Ali Shah Geelani is in the news. For most people, first time he is in for the good reasons. His ‘ heartfelt’( Dardmandana) appeal to the Kashmiri youths to desist from arson and other violent activities, while expressing anger against the state government, has made him a pleasant subject  of intellectual and media discourse.  Mr. Geelani is much talked about politico-religious personality. Reams of paper have been consumed, either in appreciation or in disapproval, of his political ideology. Some hate him.

Some love him. Some denounce his brand of `bigoted ‘politics. Some may call him a reactionary somnambulist and a votary of hate. But one has to give the venerable octogenarian one hundred percent for his steadfastness in pursuit of his political goal  and appreciate him for his total commitment to a cause which some may not agree with. He has shown the strength of the character. To those who have had physical interaction with him   Geelani Sahib comes out a blazing fire ball, always armed with myriad  intellectual weapons of resistance, ever ready to fire them in all directions. He would tell them in the words of Hugh Gaitskell (a Labour party leader ), “ there are some of us ... who will fight and fight and fight again to save the Party we love”

His ‘heart felt’ appeal to the Kashmiri youths, made in the prevailing surcharged atmosphere, has, indeed, cast Syed Ali Shah Geelani in the mould of a politician who, sometimes, stops looking over his shoulders to see if his followers are still there. He has appealed to the majority community in the valley to refrain from indulging in communal activities.  Peace loving Kashmiris of any creed or caste would take his gestures as a gift to the fast dwindling Kashmiri ethos. Timely issuance of the appeal has made this gift a precious commodity. Reportedly, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has not given up what he stands for. Nor has he forsaken his right to agitate for his  ‘just cause’. Mercifully, he has committed himself and his party to the peaceful means. Let no quarter—state or non state make a move that would force the venerated leader to back out from this commitment. J&K Civil Society has an onerous duty to discharge in this regard. If not for anything else but surely for the safety of young and budding children of our state.

What marks out Mr Geelani’s appeal a shining example of statesmanship is  the dubious role played by most of the mainstream politician, irrespective of their party denominations. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been left alone to fight the battle. Others, including his own party men and the cabinet colleagues, are watching the situation from a safe distance,   with options open. The same can be said about Congress – a party sharing power  with Omar Abdullah.  They have no word of advice or appeal to the rampaging youth. But keep on harping, ad nauseam, “ violation of human rights and repeal of AFSPA”. Whatever action state authorities initiate against the rioters these politicians describe it Draconian.

We are witness to a strange spectacle. The politician feel no  qualms in discarding their ideas and the ideologies which they espoused for  better part of their lives. They flourished, economically and politically, on propagation of these ideas, which they had acquired in a political school where reigning syllabus was, “ Kashmir is Attot Ang of India”.  Now, in the changed political scenario, these vary ideals are considered a stumbling block for their politico-economic  advancement. Hence the need for a new cloak—preferably green in color. Today, when these, once, votaries of Attot Ang theory are required to douse the fire in the valley they play truant. In this regard even  request of the Prime Minister goes unheeded. On the contrary everything is done to stoke the fire. Some behaved like lumpins in locking the Civil Secretariat. Is is indeed a sad state of affairs that for most of the mainstream politicians in the J&K the politics has been an art of speculation, calculation, intrigue and convenient maneouring. They always keep their conscience malleable and the political options open. And whenever state acts against the perpetuators of loot and arson these honorable men/women deride the action as, “heartless response to the aspiration of the people.”

It would be better if some times these mainstream politicians learn a lesson from the confirmed separatist. Who, despite his known anti state stance, appreciated the gravity of the situation and made an honest effort to stop young and budding Kashmiris from making the streets of the valley red with their blood. We hope and trust  Syed Ali Shah Geelani would henceforth pursue the politics which may be a war but without bloodshed. 

                                                                                   
(B.L.Saraf is Former Pr. District & Sessions Judge, Author of New Lexicon of the Kashmiris. Feedback at bushanlal saraf @ gmail.com) 

Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
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