ALL is not well with the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), an umbrella group of over three dozen separatist groups spearheading the azadi movement. The expulsion this fortnight of Shabir Shah, one of the APHC's founder members, brought to the fore the differences between its various constituents.
Shabir Shah, known among supporters as the Nelson Mandela of Kashmir, was expelled on charges of indiscipline and defying 'collective decisions' of the party. Shah has also been charged with promoting himself rather than working for the movement, interacting with former prime minister V.P. Singh and taking part in an anti-election campaign in Jammu during the Lok Sabha elections without the consent of the Hurriyat.
Shah's expulsion was hastened by his meeting with US Ambassador Frank Wisner in Srinagar. The APHC executive had decided against meeting Wisner because of his alleged remarks in favour of elections in Kashmir. However, Shah defied the dictat, held a three-hour meeting with the envoy, and also hosted a lunch in his honour. The Hurriyat executive took a serious view of the defiance and he was asked for an explanation. None was given, and Shah abstained from three APHC executive meetings.
The expelled leader has openly ridiculed the Hurriyat leadership for its "childish behaviour" and has described his expulsion from the party as "unfortunate". According to Shah, the charges levelled against him are frivolous and the APHC is functioning like an ostrich ignoring the changes taking place all around. Says he: "We cannot and should not close our doors to even our bitter critics. I believe we have a strong case and should not fight shy of pleading or convincing people."
Shah says he met Frank Wisner only to plead the case of the azadi movement. If the APHC was not happy with the US approach, asks the rebel, what made it receive influential US Senator Hank Brown two days after Wisner's visit? "He (Brown) did not say anything that contradicted Wisner's statements," says Shah.
On his meeting with V.P. Singh, Shah says it was the former prime minister who was keen to meet him and drove to his residence against the advice of the state authorities. Observes the still defiant Shah: "If someone asks me what I stand for, should I tell him that I can speak only after getting permission from the Hurriyat? If speaking is a crime then I will continue to commit more such crimes."
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