Summary
Abdul Gani Bhat, ex-chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, died at his home in Sopore. He was 90. Bhat was a crucial figure in Kashmir politics. He promoted for discussion. Leaders like Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti revealed their acknowledgements. Bhat contributed in talks with the main federal government. He was an advocate of serene resolution.
Previous Hurriyat Conference chairman Abdul Gani Bhat, who was viewed as a moderate amongst the separatist management, passed away at his Sopore house on Wednesday. He was 90.
Bhat, who was mostly restricted to his house at Sopore in Baramulla district due to illness over previous couple of years, breathed his last this night, Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated.
“I just received a call from Bhat Sahib’s son confirming the sad news about the demise of the veteran leader,” the Mirwaiz informed PTI.
Bhat is most likely to be buried in his ancestral graveyard in Sopore, sources near to the household stated.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated though their political ideologies were poles apart, “but I will always remember him as a very civil person”
“I’m saddened to hear about the demise of senior Kashmiri political leader & academician Professor Abdul Gani Bhat Sb,” Abdullah stated on X.
“He had the courage to espouse the cause of dialogue when many believed violence was the only way forward and this resulted in him meeting the then PM Vajpayee ji & Deputy PM Advani ji…,” he included.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti stated in spite of varying political views, she “turned to him for solace during difficult times”
“… He was a voice of moderation amidst the tumultuous history of Kashmir an esteemed scholar, teacher, and intellectual with a pragmatic approach to politics. A strong advocate for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, his influence was profound,” she stated.
In a post on X, the Mirwaiz stated Bhat’s death was a big individual loss for him.
“Just heard the very sad news that I lost the affectionate elder, a dear friend and colleague, Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat Sahib, who passed away sometime ago. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. A huge personal loss! May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah. Kashmir has been bereft of a sincere and visionary leader,” he included.
At the peak of militancy in Kashmir, Bhat was viewed as a peacenik amongst separatist hawks like Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Masarat Alam, promoting discussion with New Delhi for resolution of the Kashmir problem.
Bhat played an essential function in getting the Hurriyat Conference to participate in talks with the Centre throughout the NDA federal government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee and later on with the UPA federal government headed by Manmohan Singh.
Bhat was the last chairman of the undistracted Hurriyat Conference as the choice to hold talks with the Centre had actually resulted in vertical split in the multi-party amalgam.
The previous Hurriyat chairman had actually revealed his animosity to utilize of weapon for attaining political goals.
He likewise revealed his dislike for regular and extended shutdowns in Kashmir.
While both Geelani and Bhat came from Sopore, the latter was viewed as a suave political leader who might browse rough waters with practiced ease.
Born in 1935 at Botengoo in Sopore town, Bhat finished from Sri Pratap College in Srinagar in Persian research studies. He went on to get post academic degree in Persian and a Law degree from Aligarh Muslim University.
Bhat at first practiced law in Sopore before being designated as teacher or Persian in Government College at Poonch in 1963.
He stayed in federal government service till 1986 till his termination from service on security premises.
Bhat signed up with politics in 1986 and co-founded Muslim United Front (MUF), a best leaning amalgam of celebrations led by Jamaat-e-Islami.
He was imprisoned for a number of months in the consequences of 1987 assembly elections which MUF lost, in spite of a beneficial public reaction to their elections project.
The wise political leader restored Muslim Conference in Jammu and Kashmir which ended up being an essential constituent of Hurriyat Conference when the amalgam was formed in 1993.