Jamat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir on Monday decided to boycott all programmes of the Hurriyat Conference in protest against “malicious writing” in a book on separatist Syed Ali Geelani. It is likely to walk out of the amalgam. Its general council will shortly take a decision.
After an extraordinary meeting of the Jamat's administrative wing, chaired by Ameer-e-Jamat Sheikh Mohammad Hassan, it was decided to boycott all the proceedings and activities of the Hurriyat Conference faction led by Mr. Geelani in protest against what has been written in the book, Qaid-e-Inquilab (Leader of Revolution) by one Shafi Shariyati. The book is on the life and politics of Mr. Geelani.
“The contents of the book were discussed threadbare in the meeting and it was resolved that it was a hypocritical account based on lies,” Jamat spokesman Zahid Ali told TheHindu . This book, he said, had “only been written to malign the Jamat and put its glorious role in Kashmir politics in poor light.”
The Jamat chief took exception to the “surprise silence” maintained by Mr. Geelani on the issue. “While this is being discussed, he has not uttered a single word. This makes it clear that there was suspicion behind the conspiracy,” Mr. Hassan told the meeting.
It was decided that Jamat will temporarily boycott all the activities and programmes of Hurriyat (G). “Further decision — which can also be to walk out from the alliance — will be taken by the Jamat's general council” said Mr. Zahid.
Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar told a local news agency that the book was written by an unknown writer, who had his own views. “The Jamat decision on this is not based on wisdom,” he said.
Mr. Geelani fell apart from his parent organisation Jamat-e-Islami in 2003 soon after the Hurriyat was divided into two groups. Initially, the Jamat distanced itself from both Hurriyats and allowed Mr Geelani to float a new outfit Tehreek-e-Hurriyat e Kashmir to make base for his faction of the Hurriyat. Later, the Jamat joined the same Hurriyat after two years of struggle. But now it seems that it will permanently walk out of the conglomerate. If it happens, it will be a major setback to the Hurriyat faction led by Mr Geelani.
