SRINAGAR, May 21: Analysts in Kashmir will be keenly observing Monday’s rally at Eidgah, Srinagar proposed by the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.
Although the rally has been called to commemorate the killings of the Mirwaiz’s father, Moulvi Farooq, and another separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone, yet many expect the Mirwaiz to rest, once and for all, the issue which has caused widening gulfs between many of his senior colleagues.
Supporters of moderate separatist leaders have twice exchanged blows ever since a Senior leader, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat stated that the UN resolutions on Kashmir were “no longer applicable” and that the separtists could move towards having a “common political agenda with the pro-India political parties”.
Bhat’s statement, many other leaders felt, was “way out of sync” with the official stand of the Hurriyat conglomerate and was detrimental to the “Kashmir cause”.
“Bhat has violated Hurriyat’s basic constitution and he doesn’t deserve to be in it,” Shabir Ahmed Shah said.
Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has since clarified that UN resolutions form the bedrock of the azaadi (freedom) struggle. But he has ignored calls for action against Bhat by leaders such as Shabir Shah and Nayeem Khan.
“But that is like eating the cake and having it too. You can’t have it both ways. The Mirwaiz must define the party stand and punish the detractors, if any,” an analyst not wishing to be named said.
Trouble over the issue of action against Bhat continued Sunday when during a party seminar, supporters of warring Hurriyat leaders hurled chairs and furniture at each other and traded slogans.
All eyes are now focused on the Hurriyat’s rally at Eidgah today, where the Mirwaiz and other leaders are expected to address thousands of people. It is, however, not clear whether the rally will be allowed by the authorities.
