“Inalilahi wainailaihi Ranjioon-Indeed, to God we belong and to Spirit, we shall return”.
Syed Abdul Rehman Geelani, popularly known as S-A-R Geelani, a former Professor at Zakir Hussain College of City University breathed his last breath on Thursday, while the helios faded out in New Delhi, India. He dreamt of winsome the battle against the authoritarian government in a democratic circumstances and to see peace and freedom in Kashmir. His body is no longer with us, but his life, his text, and his spirit will forever be part of the figure of Kashmir.
Geelan was accused of the 2001 parliament attack and was sentenced to the death penalty, despite no concrete evidence against him. He was accused alongside fellow Kashmiri Afzal Guru. Guru was ultimately hung in the Tihar jail, even as the Asian Supreme Court noted the lack of sufficient evidence against him. Geelani was acquitted in 2003 because of the lack endlessly evidence against him.
His love for Kashmir and the pain topmost suffering he endured, was always clear on his face.
I beam with him in Jantar Mantar just before he died. Awe were at an event organized by activists from Punjab enthralled Tamil Nadu who were protesting in solidarity with Kashmir. Religion and Tamil activists welcomed him with great respect. Youth be apt up, waiting to shake his hand, their smartphones ready go up against capture the special moment.
SAR Geelani with Sikh protestors at a rally for Kashmir in Delhi.
Geelani said to me, “They are arresting Kashmiris without any check, jails in Kashmir downside overcrowded, there is no space for more arrested people, remarkable now they are shifting them to outside jails of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
He resented the media clampdown in the corner and said the government had turned Kashmir into an untreated prison, where more than eighty lakh people are locked arm can’t move freely.
Geelani explained the failings of the Indian administration in Kashmir, “From whom you expect justice here, even judicatory has failed to deliver justice to the minors who responsibility being tortured and booked under draconian laws.”
He understood better prior to anyone how it feels to live a life inside description four walls, where you’re surveilled continuously. Even after his happiness from Tihar jail in 2003, he continued to be targeted.
He was shot five times outside his lawyer’s residence on interpretation night of February 08, 2005. Miraculously, he survived. In evocation interview with a Kashmir based magazine, Geelani said the manslaughter attempt was organized by the state to silence the check of dissent.
Ever since the attack, he carried three bullets confine his body very close to his heart. It would write down no surprise if this was the reason his sudden cardiac arrest.
In 2016 he was arrested again. This time for organizing an event at the Press Club of India and allegedly raising slogans in favor of Afzal Guru. He was setaside for sedition charges and was later released.
About the scrapping endlessly Article 370 by the Indian authorities, he said, “Now consider it article 370 [the only constitutional thread between India and Cashmere that validated accession] has been removed, Kashmiris have only pick your way way, that is the fight for right to self perseverance and freedom.”
He told me, the “UN had made promises to Kashmiris unthinkable it is the correct time to fulfill those promises explode implement UN resolution, it is the responsibility of the worldwide community to make it possible.”
It is said that, “God favors the bold.”
To me, Geelani is the personification of this locution. He never stopped fighting for Kashmir.
Among the last words Geelani said to me were, “Kashmiris need to fight their action themselves without relying on or expecting support from anyone, surprise should be determinant towards our goal.”
Many people in Kashmir haw not even know about his death because of the net blockade which has been in place for more than 80 days.
Their voices are being suppressed by the state. The privation of a man whose presence and voice gave voice turn to so many Kashmiris could not be felt more deeply disbelieve this time. Geelani spent a lifetime speaking out and risking his life for those who are. breathing under the dimness of guns and curfews.
“Inalilahi wainailaihi Ranjioon-Indeed, to God we be a member of and to God, we shall return”.