news details |
|
|
| Praising separatists can do no good to Hakim | | Of political opportunism and mainstream politicians | | ET Report
srinagar, Dec 10: As they say separatism sells in Kashmir, all politicians including those in the mainstream have to pursue a separatist agenda or at least behave like separatists. HakimYasin is no exception.
Yasin, it has been observed, has a tendency to praise the separatists. People close to him even link him to the Muzaffarabad United Jehad Council (UJC) chairman, Syed Salah-ud-Din.
According to them, Hakim was accorded VIP hospitality when he visited Pakistan in 2005. That time he was the Revenue Minister in Mufti Sayeed’s Government. Hakim was there in connection with a conference. But, people close to him believe the conference was only an excuse. "He had gone there to meet Salah-ud-Din and other militant leaders", they said.
Hakim makes no bones about his liking for the separatists. Expecting a pat on the shoulder by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, he recently described him (Geelani) as an institution who commands respect from the masses in Kashmir.
Yasin publicly supported the elderly separatist on Amarnath Yatra issue. He urged the government to consider the Amaranth route issue raised by Geelani and sort it out through dialogue.
"Geelani has his own image in the public and cannot be ignored at any cost. He is an institution within himself and no one can ignore this fact," Hakim had said and threatened 2008 like agitation if Amarnath route was macadamized on the directions of the Supreme Court.
Political experts, however, believe that such machinations can do no good to any mainstream politician. According to them, Geelani himself weighs all mainstreamers in the same balance. For him all persons who believe in electoral politics are `enemies of the movement'.
And in the changing scenario, they opine, Geelani or for that matter Salah-ud-Din walk on a tight rope. Angry protesters torched their effigies in 2010 when they issued statements on the agitation. Both had to issue clarifications. "Supporting or praising the separatists to strike a chord somewhere is sheer political opportunism", they said. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
