Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, the former chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, a prominent figure known for his persistent advocacy of dialogue between Delhi and Srinagar, passed away peacefully at his Sopore residence in north Kashmir on Wednesday. He was 89 years old.
Family sources confirmed that Professor Bhat had been ill for several days. Amidst the news of his demise, official channels reportedly advised the family to conclude the final rites by Wednesday night. Notable Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other colleagues from Srinagar were, unfortunately, not permitted to travel to Sopore to pay their respects.
Professor Bhat’s extensive political career traversed a unique path, moving from mainstream electoral politics to spearheading efforts for a lasting solution to the intricate Kashmir issue. After resigning from his position as a Persian professor, he co-founded the Muslim United Front (MUF), which participated in the 1987 elections. He later ascended to the chairmanship of the Hurriyat, an alliance of over thirteen separatist organizations, guiding its political direction for many years through the 1990s.
Championing Dialogue
A firm believer in the power of conversation, Bhat was a vocal advocate for talks on Kashmir involving both the Indian and Pakistani governments. He was one of the few separatist leaders who publicly met with then-Deputy Prime Minister and BJP leader L.K. Advani in 2004, a meeting that generated both commendation and controversy. Following this historic dialogue, Bhat articulated his vision: “The peace process should proceed step by step. Guns should be replaced by political talks.” He consistently engaged with Indian and Pakistani interlocutors, striving to foster structured discussions for peace in Kashmir.
His willingness to engage in dialogue was not without repercussions. In 2017, Bhat was removed from his role as Muslim Conference president after meeting with Dineshwar Sharma, Delhi’s special representative. Earlier, in 2012, he faced considerable backlash from fellow Hurriyat leaders for stating that “United Nations’ resolutions on Kashmir were inapplicable and the time has come to chart out a common minimum programme with the mainstream parties.” Despite these challenges, he maintained positive relationships with mainstream political figures, including the late Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) founder Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.
In 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared his Muslim Conference an unlawful association under Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
A Flood of Tributes
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a close associate and aide of Professor Bhat, expressed his profound sorrow, remarking, “I lost an affectionate elder, a dear friend and colleague. A huge personal loss. Kashmir has lost one of its sincere and visionary leaders.”
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also offered her condolences, describing Bhat as “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 added a personal note: “On a personal note, he always showed me great affection, and I turned to him for solace during difficult times. Despite differing political views, he remained a close and respected friend of Mufti Saheb, and together, peace and reconciliation were the core of their political campaigns.”
National Conference vice president and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also conveyed his sadness, acknowledging the passing of “senior Kashmiri political leader and academician Professor Abdul Gani Bhat Sb.”
Mr. Abdullah further commented, “Our political ideologies were poles apart, but I will always remember him as a very civil person. 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 and Deputy PM Advani ji. May Professor Bhat sb find a place in Jannat.”