SYED ALI SAFVI
SRINAGAR, June 12: In a move that could further split the already divided separatist constituency in Kashmir, one of the major constituents of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Hurriyat Conference, has threatened to pull out of the conglomerate if Mirwaiz failed to come openly in support of its leader.
Aga Syed Hassan Budgami, president of his faction of J&K Anjuman-e Sharie Shiaan, a major Shia organization which holds considerable sway over politico-religious life of a major chunk of Shia community particularly in Srinagar, Budgam and Baramulla districts, has decided to boycott executive council meetings of Hurriyat Conference (G) until the Mirwaiz clears his stand vis-à-vis the allegations of Dukhtaran-e Millat (DeM) chief, Asiya Andrai.
Pertinently, the DeM chief had reportedly castigated Aga Hassan and three other senior separatist leaders – Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Moulvi Abbas Ansari, and Bilal Gani Lone, accusing them of being "black sheep". Asia said that she had also told Mirwaiz almost a year back to remove them from the conglomerate".
Taking a dig at Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Asia had also labeled the former Hurriyat Conference chairman as "Indian agent".
Abbas had accused People's Democratic Party (PDP) of inciting stone-pelting and violence in the Valley.
"Why is stone-pelting and mob violence happening in areas where Umar sahib [Mirwaiz] and I have considerable influence? The opposition is the one inciting trouble because they want governor's rule. They are even triggering clashes between shias and sunnis," he had said.
Ansari's remarks led senior PDP leader, and his cousin Moulvi Iftikhar Ansari to call him a "paid agent" of National Conference.
In December last year, Asia had also asked senior separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani to retire from active politics. Without naming any leader, she had also said that a cleansing process should be started to clean the separatist camp from all "deadwood and liabilities".
Talking to Kashmir Times, Aga Hassan maintained that his organization would continue supporting Hurriyat Conference (M)'s programmes, however, it would not take part in the conglomerate's executive meetings.
“Serious allegations have been leveled against me. I want Mirwaiz to speak out so that people would come to know about the truth," he said. "If they (Mirwaiz group) don't want us to be in the Hurriyat fold, let they make it clear."
He said that those who point fingers at them and their commitment to Kashmir cause must not forget the "sacrifices made by the community for the cause". Pertinently, in 1991 Shias of Kashmir had set up their own militant outfit, J&K Hizul Momineen.
The Anjuman Sharie was among the primary constituents of Hurriyat Conference (M) after it was founded in 1990.
Earlier, the Anjuman had remained aloof from active politics ever since its inception in 1958. However, soon after the death of its founder, Ayatollah Aga Syed Yousuf, who was the last undisputed patriarch of the popular Aga family of Budgam, two members of the family jumped into mainstream politics; one chose Congress and another National Conference (NC). After the death of Aga Yousuf, the Anjuman also got split into two factions, one headed by Yousuf's son, Aga Syed Fazlullah, and the other headed by his nephew and son-in-law, Aga Syed Mustafa.
In 1990, Aga Hassan, then vice-president of Anjuman-e Sharie Shiaan made the Anjuman a constituent of Hurriyat Conference (M). However, it was given the executive status only in 2005-06.
After the erstwhile All-Party Hurriyat Conference broke into two in 2003, Aga Hassan joined Syed Ali Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference. However, after some time the two leaders developed differences and Aga Hassan pulled out of the Geelani faction, and joined the Mirwaiz faction.
Pertinently, Aga Hassan had also unsuccessfully contested assembly elections in 1977 on Janta Party ticket.
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