It was very interesting to read Javaid Malik's interpretation of what Geelani wants (in the last two editions of the GK), and compare it to other reports - say for example the PTI report (following the article under reference). Incidentally, the author was not alone - many newspapers in the valley had similar stories as this one. It is just that I expect a lot more from the GK.
In the end both kinds of reports are about the same person (Geelani), but that is where the similarity ends. You have build your commentary on the basis of the recommendation from the MHA Interlocutors (in a report not available to journalists as yet) - meaning on speculation - whereas other journalists are saying that the feeler has come from Geelani himself, and it is he who is trying to reach out to the Centre.
I am not sure who is correct here, or if it is the case where you see the glass half full, when others see it half empty. But more importantly, you have wittingly or unwittingly played into Geelani's hands, and turned your newspaper into an extension of Geelani's propaganda machine. 
The reason is obvious and I do not know why you chose to overlook it. As a journalist, you have to ask yourself who does such a news help especially since the Interlocutor Report (IR) has just been turned in to the MHA and no one outside of a few have seen it? The fact is Geelani is most worried how the public will react to the IR. He simply does not wish to take chances. Geelani is preempting the field by asking public to withhold any decision until he holds a dialogue with the Centre. It is unlikely that he will ever enter into such a dialogue (after jealously guarding his legacy in his advancing years), but his sudden outreach to the Centre is clearly an attempt to neutralize the IR. On the other hand, the Centre gains very little At this time given that it is (rightly or wrongly) waiting to assimilate the IR. The policy of New Delhi towards "unconditional dialogue" with separatists, to my knowledge, remains unchanged. 
Again, whether Geelani succeeds or fails in that strategy is immaterial from the perspective of my message here. Nor am I in a position to say if the IR will rise up to public expectations - certainly a section of elected and unelected politicians, as well as some valley newspapers, have trashed it sight unseen. 
My point is that your report in the Greater Kashmir has played very nicely in Geelani's propaganda machine. Kashmiri journalists inherently never seem to question the motives of those politicians (especially) who have taken them down the road of ruin. Your reports stands out as a glaring example of what ails the "media industry" in Kashmir.

Vijay Sazawal
www.kashmirforum.org

Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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