Washington, D.C. September 1, 2023. “Geelani Sahib was a captivating personality, a person with farsightedness, judgment and judiciousness. He undoubtedly was a person of character, truthfulness and steadfastness. A legendary and eminent scholar and intellectual, he was certainly one of the most recognizable experts on the subject of Kashmir in South Asia. The nation of Kashmir honors his illustrious life of courage and determination. Today, the nation of Kashmir is paying tribute to his inspirational spirit and equally paying homage to his life under house arrest for 12 long years, for he dedicated his energies, time and intellect for the freedom of his homeland, Kashmir, the paradise on earth,” this was stated by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum on the second anniversary of Geelani Sahib.
The world needs to know that Geelani Sahib was an incorruptible and conscientious leader. His character was best described by his personal physician who happened to belong to minority Kashmiri Pandit community. Dr. Sameer Kaul said as reported by Rediff.com on October 11, 2010, that ‘Geelani Sahib is an honest and sincere to his people. Geelani Sahib has become incorruptible. 80 percent Kashmiris respect Geelani Sahib simply because he is not corrupt.’
That is exactly what Associated Press reported. AP wrote, “During Kashmir’s recent years of civilian protests, the slogan “Na Jhukne Wala Geelani! Na Bikne Wala, Geelani! (Geelani, the one who doesn’t bow and can’t be bought!)” became almost a war cry on the streets.”
It was also echoed by the New York Times. “A charismatic leader, Mr. Geelani was often called “Bab,” or “father” in Kashmiri. His followers would chant in demonstrations: “The one who doesn’t bow, Geelani! The one who can’t be bought, Geelani!”
Syed Ali Gilani proved prophetic when he said during a press conference on October 26, 2009 that “500,000 Biharia will be given Kashmiri citizenship. Six to seven hundred thousand army will be given citizenship to change the demography of Kashmir. India will say OK, let us have a referendum now.” Who could have believed in 2009 that RSS led Modi government will enact Domicile Law in 2020 and issue more than 4.3 million domicile certificate to Indian citizens to change the demography of Kashmir?
History also proved Geelani Sahib right when he wrote to Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, “We believe the concert organized by German embassy in Kashmir will be used by India to legitimize its military Occupation of our land and whitewash its shameful atrocities in Kashmir.” That is what exactly happened when Indian held G20 tourism meeting in Kashmir in May 2023 to give the false impression of normalcy.
Dr. Fernand de Varennes, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues echoed the same ideas, “The government of India is seeking to normalise what some have described as a military occupation by instrumentalising a G20 meeting and portray an international seal of approval.”
A common Kashmir has lost faith in Indian democracy. They are not alone in calling Indian democracy as sham democracy. Even The Washington Post wrote, “Over the years, he (Geelani) had repeatedly said no to any talks with New Delhi, asserting that “India can’t be trusted unless it calls Kashmir a disputed territory, demilitarizes the region and releases political prisoners for a meaningful dialogue.”
Geelani Sahib’s fearlessness and courage was noteworthy, when he wrote to N.N. Vohra, the then Governor of Kashmir, “Tell your state and your people not to soak their hands further in the blood of people who are just asking for their basic human and political right to which each individual and nation is entitled. We call on your conscience to help end this long chapter of deception, tyranny, death and destruction.”
His message to 38th session of the OIC Foreign Ministers conference in Astana, Kazakhstan in June 2011 needs no explanation. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been amply making it clear to the world community that they want to end the ‘forced marriage and occupation’. They made it sufficiently clear through peaceful protests, when millions converged on roads all over the state with one voice: ‘We want freedom’, Go! Go! Go back- India Go Back.”
To the members of Indian Parliament, he wrote, “My words may be harsh as I do not know of any other way of conveying the brutalization which my people have faced because of your state policies. Your remorseless policies of violence have resulted in the death of 100,000 people in last two decades. Your tyrannical policies have facilitated the torture of more than 200,000 people. Your government boosts that they have managed to control the situation in Kashmir and peace is returning according to them. Is the silence of unmarked graves and mass graves, what you call peace?”
To the members of Pakistani Parliament, Geelani sahib wrote, “We are grateful for the support of the nation and the people of Pakistan and expect that politicians and all sections of the Pakistani society will continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Jammu and Kashmir freedom struggle.”
Let us all rededicate ourselves to the vision of Geelani Sahib and continue our struggle in unity with full faith in Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) to whom belongs victory and defeat, success and failure. May Allah place the soul of Syed Ali Geelani in Jannatul Firdous! Ameen.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai is Chairman, World Forum for Peace and Justice.
He can be reached at 1-202-607-6435 or [email protected]
www.kashmirawareness.org