There has been an evolutionary and astronomical rise in the person and stature of veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. From opening up his eyes in impoverished thatched cot to his ascendency as Jamat-e-Islami’s political chief, an ardent advocate and uncompromising voice of Kashmir issue in both state assembly and outside, to his pioneering role in Muslim United Front and carving his own niche in Huryat Conference, Geelani has been epitome of courage and resistance.
 Undoubtedly today Geelani’s name carries mass appeal. His steadfastness in his stand gravitates youth towards him. Drifting, in fact distancing, from Jama’at, he served and sacrificed his youthful days for well over five decades, and split in Huryat Conference, has neither dampened his spirits nor in anyway dwarfed the size and clout of the octogenarian leader. The single iconic figure of his is today occupying the dominant political space. Acknowledged across the lines of different political and ideological persuasions. All know unless he is taken on board Kashmir will remain an albatross for New Delhi and peace in south Asia will keep eluding.
 A verbal statement or written material of a leader of Geelani’s character carries weight. And provokes discussion and reaction. Geelani has written some dozens of books, but the autobiography ‘Wular Kinaray’ holds a unique place in his literary works. More than a personal account, the book is a chronicle of important events that shaped the destiny of people of Kashmir. Fairly enough to acknowledge, after going through the volumes of Wular Kinaray, the second part of which was released last week at Huryat (G) office-cum residence of Geelani at Srinagar, one has but to appreciate Geelani for gifting the treatise to his nation, in particular the youth.
 No one can remain hidden behind his self-glorification. Manipulated fames are always stinking. People know the count and know how lackeys are employed for cultivating the heroes out from the power-lust, ever crawling whimsical politicians. We also know how history is being molested to defend the crass opportunism and political black-mail. Geelani’s biography, however, is an honest endeavor to purge contemporary history of Kashmir from intellectual debauchery and political deception. At each and every critical stage in the pursuit of Holy Grail he shows us the pitfalls and exposes the naiveté that has become the second nature of Kashmiris. Geelani has not only been an eye witness to the mega-events which opened up before him, from that perspective his account is an authentic document too. He has, more than that, for the last two or three decades, been central to many developments of far-reaching consequences. As one fillips through the pages, a treasure trove of information and some stunning revelations fall in your kitty.
 Today Geelani has his own political party, Tehreek-e-Huryat, and heads Huriyat Conference of various constituents sharing his thought and stand. But as the book reflects he had his individuality sealed in a cadre-based organization. Though he did what he did as Jama’at representative, but his powerful eloquence and scholarship earned him image much wider than the Jama’at canvass. His performance in the legislative assembly, as an elected representative shows how committed Geelani was for the cause and how deeply he was wedded to his ideology. Indra-Abdullah agreement Geelani calls an ‘abject surrender’, ‘retreat of leadership’. And points to Jama’at’s standing against this ‘sell-out’. He exposes National Conference, that won two-third majority in the 1977 assembly elections, in his autonomy demand claim when A G Lone moved a resolution in this regard, which Geelani seconded, but NC trivialized it in opposing and rejected it.
 The book shows Geelani vehemently criticizing gunmen for their hubris and unleashing terror. Without any discrimination, fear and bias he makes an honest analysis: ‘no militant organization, in this Jihad, can claim that it wasn’t in its birthday suit’. He also vociferously condemns the kidnapping of Rubiya Syed and Nahida Soz. And calls the act cowardly and un-Islamic. He mentions his own kidnapping by the ‘commanders’ of a militant group. Geelani provides a deeper insight on the birth and demise of MUF, Jama’at supporting the armed struggle and birth of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. A heart-rending account of the plight of jail inmates, he included, prods him question the democratic and secular credentials of state India.
The instant rejection of Prime Ministership offer in the JIC Jammu followed by his long incarceration in Naini Central Jail UP scripts his image of a leader of indomitable will and unwavering stand, far away from those who sacrificed honor, principles, everything for the power. He warns that alienating from people’s aspirations might yield power but that plummets down a leader to abysmal fall.
 Wular Kinaray has added one more accolade to Geelani’s name. It is a valuable addition to Urdu as well as resistance literature. But certain things need attention. Over-done repetition on Kashmir issue. The letter addressed to former PM Vishwanath Pratab Singh was comprehensive in articulating Kashmir case in historical perspective. Geelani’s argument craves for additional boasts from poetry. This too much intrusion of poetry is unwanted. The book could have been slimmer had the author not quoted Maulana Maudaudi extensively. Nonetheless, these are minute loopholes. The book in its holistic perspective is a good read.

Feedback at zainagiree@greaterkashmir.com

Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 IST