Syed Ali Shah Geelani turns down Pakistan invite for Eid Milan

SRINAGAR: Protesting against the absence of ‘Kashmir’ in the joint statement that India and Pakistan signed in Ufa, Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani has rejected the Pakistan high commission’s July 21 Eid Milan invitation.

The octogenarian leader, seen close to Pakistan, decided not to attend the function after a detailed consultative meeting held with his party colleagues at his residence on Tuesday. Geelani accused the ‘aggressive BJP government’ of thrusting an agenda on Pakistan ‘minus Kashmir.’ “This is the issue of 13 million people, which cannot be taken for granted. Neither Geelani sahib nor any of the Hurriyat representatives will attend the function,” Hurriyat spokesperson Ayaz Akbar said in a statement issued here. “As a symbolic protest, we have decided to boycott the function.”

During Musharraf ’s military rule, Geelani had similarly rebuffed Pakistan for ‘diluting’ its stand on Kashmir, which resulted in years of his isolation and cold shouldering. Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit had personally invited Geelani over the phone and stated that formal invitations would also be sent immediately.

“Pakistan preferred to please Modi, instead of honouring sacrifices and aspirations of millions of people of J&K,” Geelani said. Even if India and Pakistan wants better bilateral relations, “it cannot happen without the resolution of Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of the people”.

JKLF and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, who have also been invited for the function, continue to remain tightlipped about their decision.