Syed Ali Gilani, a symbol of political struggle against the occupying Indian army, passed away on Wednesday at his home in Srinagar at the age of 92. Geelani had been ill for several months with heart and kidney problems.
Born on September 29, 1929, Geelani led the Hurriyat Movement of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. He was the face of the Kashmir freedom movement and the hope of millions of oppressed Kashmiris.
Geelani started the movement for Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan in the 1960s. He remained in prison for 10 years after 1962 and was often confined to his home by occupant Indian Forces. But his time in jail only solidified his determination.
Geelani had realized that the actual imprisonment was the presence of Indian forces in his motherland. He directed his whole life to the freedom of his homeland and his people from the claws of Indian tyranny. Due to his staunch struggle for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, Geelani was kept under house arrest for the final 11 years of his life.
Even after his death, the Indian government continues to fear Syed Ali Gilani’s courage. Indian occupying forces snatched Syed Ali Gilani’s body from his family and allowed only a few close relatives to attend his funeral. He was buried in the premises of Haiderpura Jama Masjid in Srinagar against his family’s consent.
Pakistan has condemned the barbaric act of snatching the mortal remains of the legendary Kashmiri leader. On the demise of Syed Ali Geelani, the national flag of Pakistan remained half-mast today and a day of mourning was observed at the official level. Just last year, Pakistan awarded Syed Ali Gilani the Nishan of Pakistan.
Without any doubt, Geelani was a true voice and hero of the Kashmiris’ struggle. He never lost his ideological moorings for a single moment and inspired three generations of Kashmiris in resisting illegal Indian occupation.
Pakistan will always remember his words that ‘we are Pakistanis and Pakistan is ours.’ Syed Ali Geelani might have parted the world but he will continue to be an inspiration. His dream to bring an end to the illegal Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir will live on.
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