Senior Hurriyat leader and Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) Chairman Altaf Ahmed Bhat has paid rich tribute to legendary Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani at his 4th death anniversary, saluting his lifelong struggle and unwavering stand for the freedom of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bhat said Geelani’s entire life was devoted to the cause of Kashmir’s liberation and its destined annexation with Pakistan, which he viewed as the completion of the unfinished agenda of Partition.
“Geelani’s slogan ‘Hum Pakistani hain aur Pakistan hamara hai,’ continues to inspire and strengthen the spirit of resistance among the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said in a statement. Describing him as an embodiment of Kashmiri resistance, Bhat added that Geelani was more than a political figure.
“For decades, he endured imprisonment, house arrests, and relentless persecution, yet never once wavered from his principle of standing with Pakistan and demanding the right of self-determination for his people,” he said.
He said Geelani’s speeches, writings, and sacrifices ignited a consciousness that still fuels the Kashmiri movement today. Even in the face of severe restrictions during his last years, Geelani remained a symbol of courage, integrity, and an uncompromising voice for freedom, he added.
Highlighting the present political moment, Bhat stressed that after Pakistan’s recent victory in May’s conflict with India, Islamabad must accelerate its diplomatic efforts and seize the opportunity once provided by US President Donald Trump for mediation on the Kashmir dispute.
He said the inclusion of key Kashmiri leadership in such talks is vital, as no solution is possible without the genuine representatives of the people.
Bhat strongly condemned the continued imprisonment of senior leaders including Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Dr Abdul Hameed Fayyaz, Masarat Alam Bhat, Asiya Andrabi, Zaffar Akbar Bhat and others.
He said these towering leaders of the Kashmiri freedom struggle are being subjected to detention and denial of medical care, which has pushed many of them into serious health crises.
He particularly noted that the Indian government’s intent to convert Yasin Malik’s life imprisonment into a death sentence inside jail is nothing short of a political assassination.
Such actions, he warned, amount to a grave humanitarian tragedy, and must be condemned by the international community. Bhat demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, stressing that their freedom is essential for any meaningful and credible peace process.
Reaffirming Geelani’s vision, Bhat urged the UN to intervene and fulfill its long-standing commitment of granting Kashmiris their right to self-determination.
