As Amit Shah visits Kashmir, another separatist leader quits Hurriyat

IANS April 7, 2025 155 views

Amit Shah's visit to Kashmir is witnessing a significant political transformation as separatist leaders increasingly distance themselves from the Hurriyat Conference. Bashir Ahmad Andrabi, head of Kashmir Freedom Front, became the latest leader to pledge loyalty to India's Constitution, rejecting the separatist ideology. This development follows similar moves by other prominent separatist groups who have abandoned their previous anti-national stance. The shift reflects the changing political landscape in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, signaling growing national integration and rejection of separatist politics.

"We reject the ideology of the Hurriyat Conference, which has failed to serve the people's real interests" - Bashir Ahmad Andrabi
Srinagar, April 7: On the second day of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, another separatist leader quit the Hurriyat conference, pledging his loyalty to the country's Constitution.

Key Points

1

Bashir Ahmad Andrabi quits Hurriyat Conference

2

Growing trend of separatists distancing from anti-national politics

3

Shah's visit marks political transformation in Kashmir

The Union Home Minister will arrive in Kashmir in the afternoon after completing his visit to the Jammu division.

As Amit Shah prepares to visit the Valley, another separatist leader quit the Hurriyat Conference after pledging his loyalty to the country.

Bashir Ahmad Andrabi, head of Kashmir Freedom Front (KFF), announced his complete dissociation with the separatist politics of Hurriyat Conference and pledged his loyalty to the Constitution.

In a written statement, Andrabi declared that neither he nor his organisation has any association with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference or its factions.

He warned that any attempt to link his party to separatist groups would result in legal action.

"We reject the ideology of the Hurriyat Conference, which has failed to serve the people's real interests," Andrabi said.

Andrabi's exit follows a growing trend among former separatist leaders distancing themselves from the Hurriyat.

Ghulam Nabi War, chairman of Tehreek-i-Istiqamat, recently severed ties with the Hurriyat Conference, saying that Hurriyat had lost credibility and public trust.

War also cautioned against misuse of his name or his party's identity, warning of legal consequences for any such actions.

Before this, the Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Political Movement (JKDPM) and the Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement (JKPM) left the Hurriyat Conference, declaring true allegiance to the country's Constitution and faith in the democratic system.

The Union Home Minister had welcomed these moves, describing them as a reflection of growing national integration in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370.

The abandoning of the Hurriyat Conference has followed the literal non-existence of the separatist conglomerate, which was formed in 1993, purportedly to give political voice to the armed insurgency.

Initially, 26 social, political and religious groups/organisations, including the Kashmir High Court Bar Association and the association of government employees, were also constituents of the then Hurriyat Conference formed on March 3, 1993.

The Hurriyat split into two groups on September 7, 2003. One was led by the hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the other by moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

After August 5, 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated, the Hurriyat Conference became defunct, and no separatist political activity has taken place like shutdown calls, closure on visits of national dignitaries to Kashmir, or protest Bandhs on the country's Independence Day and Republic Day functions.

Stone pelting, which had become the biggest law and order challenge in Kashmir, has completely stopped after the abrogation of Article 370.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is a positive development for Kashmir's future! More leaders realizing the importance of national integration is exactly what we need. 👏
P
Priya M.
While I support national unity, I wonder if these leaders are genuinely changing their stance or just adapting to the political climate. The article doesn't explore their motivations enough.
A
Arjun S.
The end of stone pelting and shutdown calls shows how much Kashmir has changed since 2019. Tourists are returning, businesses are thriving - this is the peace we've waited for!
S
Sunita R.
Interesting to see how Hurriyat has become irrelevant. They had so much influence at one point. Shows how political landscapes can change completely in just a few years.
V
Vikram J.
The legal warnings from these leaders about not associating them with separatist groups anymore is quite telling. They're serious about this shift in allegiance.
N
Neha P.
Hope this leads to more development projects in Kashmir. The youth there deserve better opportunities and a peaceful environment to grow. 🤞

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Amit Shah Kashmir Hurriyat Conference Separatist Politics Article 370 Bashir Ahmad Andrabi
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