Both Geelani and Mirwaiz should agree upon a joint team of negotiators who will talk to Delhi, Islamabad
Syed Ali Geelani’s willingness to negotiate, albeit on his own terms, has thrown open a window of opportunity.
Significantly, this positive posture is being endorsed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq as well as by Masarat Alam, the key voice in Hurriyat (G). From the pro-election camp, both the ruling National Conference and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party have grown louder in their demand to resolve Kashmir dispute as per the “wishes and aspirations of the people”. NC has even gone to the extent of abandoning its autonomy demand in case some alternative solution emerges from the dialogue. What is more, both these pro-election parties have conceded the mandate of negotiation to the separatists. This leaves the job of negotiations to Geelani, Mirwaiz, Shabir Shah and Yasin Malik. It is, therefore, for these leaders to work out a diplomatic strategy to reengage New Delhi and achieve the goal. The proposal tossed up by Geelani has sought punishment to killers of sixty-five youth, withdrawal of troops, removal of tough laws, release of prisoners and the acknowledgement by New Delhi that Kashmir is a disputed territory. For once a doable demand has been made by someone who is still the number one opponent of India’s military presence in Kashmir. Also, India’s policy establishment has first time ever considered Geelani someone who is worth doing business with. And, Mirwaiz, to the surprise of saboteurs, has chosen to throw his weight behind Geelani. As for Yasin Malik, he has all along been a votary of democratic ways of resistance. Now that the people have displayed their unquestionable commitment to the cause, the leaders should not fail them on diplomatic front. While the people continue to carry forward the movement, separatist leadership should work overtime to strategize their forward movement. First of all a team of negotiators has to be identified. Hurriyat has had several setbacks in past but this time it needs to be more calibrated. Since NC and PDP have conceded their right of political representation, there is no harm if Hurriyat starts with an internal dialogue and informs itself about the relevant issues. So far, the separatists have been talking to each other either through newspapers or intermediaries. Let them set up active contact, form a team of negotiators and discuss how to put their best foot forward. This will happen only if these leaders remain aware of those flies on their walls; vested interests have penetrated deep into almost every separatist body. Before they cobble up a team of negotiators the Hurriyat leaders must remember one basic fact: If the agenda is clear, it hardly matters who represents you on the table.
