KL Report
SRINAGAR
Braving the cold, the ailing octogenarian separatist hawk Syed Ali Geelani Sunday left for South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Though uncertain whether he would be allowed to go or not till last moment, Geelani finally left his Hyderpora residence. As he was on his way, people across started to join and it took shape of a huge procession. The enthusiasm to hear the aging leader was seen when fifteen Kms outside town he was stopped and taken in a huge procession up to the district headquarter. The rally one among many was aimed to refrain people from participating in elections. Bilal Bahadur captured the moments of his journey to South kashmir
Age is not on his side, but whenever the octogenarian leader steps out of his home, youth get glued to him. He is believed to be main attraction of youth in valley. Slogans reverberated, ‘Kaun Karega Tarjumani, Syed Ali Geelani’
After few miles he travelled, people across all age groups joined. Vehicles of all types were seen zooming their way to south Kashmir escorting Geelani.
The space seemed to be shrunken to accomdate, so much so that even roof tops were occupied. The flags were furling all around.
As people joined and number from hundreds turned into thousands, it seemed to be MA stadium of Jammu versus New Bus stand Kulgam. Modi demanded abrogation of article 370 while Geelani reiterated his call of seeking freedom from Indian occupation.
In Jammu Modi talked about nationalism, while Geelani in Kashmir termed Modi as a ‘killer of , humanity’ . Geelani further said that “Modi is the person responsible for the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002. He is responsible for the gross human rights violations and barbaric victimization of Muslims in Gujarat.”
Geelani maintained his stand and reiterated his election boycott call. “Those who will vote are like brokers of sacrifices offered by martyrs,” he said and added that Kashmir will not accept any solution of Kashmir dispute other than the independence. “The majority here want resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with their political aspirations.”
Geelani condemned Delhi Court’s order by virtue of which Syed Sallah-u-Din, the UJC chief was declared as a proclaimed offender. He said that the UJC chief is fighting for a scared cause and India’s ‘rigid’ approach vis-à-vis resolution of Kashmir issue has compelled people like Sallah-u-Din to take guns.“The people like Syed Sallah-u-Din are not terrorists but they are the freedom fighters who are fighting for the independence of Kashmir and are ready to lay their lives for this cause,” said Geelani.
