Kashmir Life: How do you view the Government of India’s handling of situation in Kashmir?
SAS GEELANI: They are not accepting the hard realities about Jammu and Kashmir. If they accept the hard reality that J&K is a disputed territory, it is not integral part of India, and they are forcibly occupying the whole Jammu and Kashmir… they are not accepting this hard reality, how can you expect that any solution will come from that side. When you are not accepting the reality, your solution can not be according to wishes and aspirations of the people.
KL: You have announced another weeklong strike programme. Lot of youth are suffering, schools are shut…
GEELANI: They know very well, my dear son, that freedom is more precious than their careers, more precious. At the same time, we realize that the people are suffering.
KL: Do you feel Omar Abdullah government has failed?
GEELANI: We have no concern as to who has failed and who has passed. There is no difference whether there is Governor’s rule, PDP and Congress alliance, or NC-Congress alliance or any other alliance. We have nothing to do with the government of Jammu and Kashmir. We have a direct problem with India – Indian rulers, Indian government, Indian leadership and the Indian system. We are fighting against the forcible Indian occupation. The J&K government does not come in this picture.
KL: There is an impression that you helped Omar Abdullah government by asking youngsters to stop stone-pelting..
GEELANI: Whatever decision we take, it is never in my mind to appease or help anybody. We take decisions according to our movement. Please try to understand. A misunderstanding is being created. The agencies are working for that, inside and outside. You should remember, whatever decision we take, it is in the interest of our movement. The movement is more precious..
KL: But the way you were released has triggered whispers?
GEELANI: Releasing from jail is no favour to me. A person is being detained without justification and then Public Safety Act is slapped on him. Then he is allowed to go on parole but he rejects. Then he is told that you can go without any condition. What is favour in that.
KL: And you are allowed to move around. You offered Friday prayers, addressed funeral procession of a deceased boy. The other separatist leaders continue to be jailed or house-arrested?
GEELANI: We condemn their detention. After several months, I offered Friday prayers yesterday (August 6). Nobody should be worried on that. We condemn the continued detention of other people.
KL: Do you have any contact with other separatist leaders? Do you consult each other?
GEELANI: They are working at their own level. We are working at our own level.
KL: Will the strike programme be prolonged?
GEELANI: After one week, this programme will be followed. Inshallah we will give another programme.
KL: Are you confident people will not be fed-up with continued hartals. There is impression that a time will come when people will not pay heed to strike calls?
GEELANI: This can be your imagination. So far as we are concerned, we have firm contact with the people. They support us and will continue with their support.
KL: Some people say Mr Geelani has helped India by defusing situation..
GEELANI: How was the situation defused?
KL: When you asked youngsters to shun stone-pelting. It is an impression…
GEELANI: This can be their impression. But it is not correct, even if it is your impression also. The curfew continues. Yesterday it was curfew, today it is again curfew. How has the situation been defused? My son, we are always pleading for peaceful movement. It is not we said it yesterday for the first time.
KL: But it is said that your call helped government to put brakes on killing spree..
GEELANI: So, do you want that this spree should have continued? Our fifty youngsters have achieved martyrdom so far. No CRPF or policeman died, some might have been wounded. Don’t you think we should ponder on the killing of our youngsters? We have to ponder… so we have to guide. To give it a different colour that India was bailed out or situation was defused, is totally wrong and misplaced.
KL: Do you think the people will be able to sustain?
GEELANI: Yes, the movement will sustain. Don’t worry for that.
KL: Why don’t you enter into dialogue with Government of India?
GEELANI: I only question the sincerity of the Government of India. We demand the resolution of Kashmir issue to the wishes and aspirations of the people. The dialogue offers are cosmetic and without purpose. There were some of our leaders, who talked to New Delhi in the past, what have they achieved? Actually, Government of India is not ready to accept Kashmir as a dispute and unless that happens, there can be no fruitful and purposeful dialogue on Kashmir. It is wrong impression that I am opposed to dialogue but I insist that the dialogue should not be a ploy to entrap and deceive the people. Our basic demand is the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir guaranteed by the international forum and promised by likes of late Jawahar Lal Nehru.
KL: What are your conditions for entering into dialogue?
GEELANI: India should first accept the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir. The demilitarization should take place, draconian laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act be abrogated and detenues, particularly the youngsters detained in recent months, should be set free. This can pave way for tripartite dialogue.
