Syed Ali Geelani, chairman of the hard-line faction of the Hurriyat Conference, on Wednesday disclosed that the ruling National Conference (NC) offered him political space for the “cause” he was espousing.
Mr. Geelani told journalists that among others who met him in the sub-jail, Chashmashahi, where he was lodged for over a month, was Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's political adviser Devender Singh Rana.
“He came to me on July 22, at 8 p.m. without any prior appointment or my consent, and told me that they were ready to give me space for my cause but it should be peaceful,” Mr. Geelani said, adding that Mr. Rana also sought clarification whether “I was against the NC-led government.”
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“I told him that it was irrelevant for me as who would rule the State, because it is Delhi which rules, whether through the NC, the Congress, PDP [People's Democratic Party] or the Governor.”
Mr. Geelani said Track-II activists from Delhi, Amitabh Mattoo, Radha Kumar and Admiral (retired) K.K. Nayyar, also visited him in jail and asked him to join the dialogue process.
“But I told them that first, the Government of India should accept Kashmir as a dispute, release all prisoners and withdraw forces.”
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The State government's Advisory Board on Public Safety Act (PSA), headed by Justice (retired) M.L. Koul, also visited him and inquired about his views on the issue of PSA, under which he was put in jail.