ENGLISH_SUG: pakistan-pm-emns-india-geelani-funeral
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday launched a blistering attack on India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, accusing it of “Nazi-inspired” actions following the death and burial of veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani. The Pakistani leader condemned New Delhi for seizing Geelani’s remains and registering criminal cases against his family members.
PM Khan Denounces ‘Fascist’ Actions
In a series of statements, PM Khan described Geelani as “one of the most respected & principled Kashmiri leaders” and expressed outrage over the handling of his funeral. “Then registering cases against his family is just another shameful example of India’s descent into fascism under the Nazi-inspired RSS-BJP,” Khan tweeted, referencing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent organization of the BJP.
Geelani’ Death and Controversial Burial
Syed Ali Geelani, a prominent separatist leader and rights activist, passed away on Wednesday evening at his home in Hyderpora, Srinagar, after a prolonged illness. Indian authorities, fearing mass unrest, swiftly deployed thousands of troops across the occupied territory. In a move that drew widespread condemnation, security forces seized Geelani’s body from his family conducted a pre-dawn burial in a local cemetery.
Family members, who had wrapped the body in a Pakistani flag and chanted pro-independence and pro-Pakistan slogans, were reportedly locked in a room by Indian forces during the incident. A viral video captured the scuffle as police took away the body.
Legal Action Against the Family
On Saturday, Indian police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Geelani’s family and others, accusing them of “raising anti-national slogans and resorting to other anti-national activities” following the leader’s death. The case was registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a stringent law that allows for prolonged detention without trial.
Geelani’s son, Naseem Geel, told AFP police took his father’s body for burial in the middle of the night without allowing the family to perform last rites. “We told the visiting police officers that they had taken control of everything after my fathers death and that we were mourning. We had no way of knowing who was doing what,” he said.
Regional and International Reactions
The incident has sparked outrage in Pakistan and among Kashmiri leaders. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti criticized the Indian government, stating, “A family isn’t allowed to mourn and bid a farewell as per their wishes. Booking Geelani sahab’s family under UAPA shows India’s deep rooted paranoia and ruthlessness. This is New India’s Naya Kashmir.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also raised the issue with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab during a joint press conference in Islamabad. Qureshi highlighted that Geelani was denied a “decent burial,” calling it a violation of basic human rights. Raab responded by stating the UK’s longstanding policy of encouraging dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir crisis.
Broader Implications
The Geelani funeral has further strained relations between India and Pakistan, with Islamabad accusing New Delhi of human rights abuses in Kashmir. The incident underscores the deepated tensions in the region, whereist sentiments remain strong despite India’s revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019.
As the international community watches closely, the case against Geelani’s family is expected to fuel further criticism of India’s policies in the disputed territory.
