Mirwaiz suspends Prof Bhat

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 31: After pressure from within, the chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, today suspended former Chairman, Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, for his remarks on the irrelevance of the United National Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and his proposal for joint political front of the separatist Hurriyat Conference with pro-India political parties like National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The disciplinary action was announced after senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah protested over silence maintained by Mirwaiz on Bhat’s remarks during executive council meeting of the amalgam at Mirwaiz’s residence at Nigeen this morning. Bhat has been asked to explain his position.
Sources said that Shah had a hot exchange of words with other Hurriyat Conference leaders over Professor Bhat remarks at a Botengo, North Kashmir rally early this month in which he had said that United National Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir have no relevance keeping in view the changed geo-political situation of the sub-continent.
Bhat had also put forward his proposal for joint political front of the separatist Hurriyat Conference with pro-India political parties like National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during Botengo rally.
Sources said that as soon as the meeting began today at the residence of Mirwiaz Omar at Nigeen, Shah raised questions about Bhat’s remarks and chairman’s failure to take any action against him. Sources said that he was in the meeting for about half an hour only and left in protest against chairman’s silence over what he told the meeting on a vital issue.
The meeting that was chaired by Mirwaiz Omar, was attended by Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Masroor Abbas Ansari, Aga Syed Hassan Mosvi Alsafvi, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza and Musadiq Aadil.
Mirwaiz has also announced disciplinary action against its two general council members Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Mohammad Azam Inquilabi for “irresponsible statements and un-constitutional activities”. They were also suspended and asked to explain their position.
Mirwaiz said that no member will be allowed to violate the constitution of the amalgam. He also send a letter to Shabir Shah asking him not make the internal issues of Hurriyat Conference public and instead discuss it within the forum.
It may be mentioned here that there were clashes between supporters of Mirwiaz and Bhat with those of Shah and Khan in Hurriyat Conference headquarters twice this month over Bhat’s remarks during this month. Shah, Khan, Iquilabi and other Hurriyat Conference leaders were demanding disciplinary action against Bhat over his remarks.