Rao Farman Ali
With the death of Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat, hopes of resolving the Kashmir conflict through dialogue and negotiations grow even dimmer.
Bhat, 90, passed away after a brief illness at his ancestral home in Botingoo, Sopore. An academic turned politician, he served as chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and remained one of the last moderate voices in separatist politics.
A professor of Persian and a law graduate from Aligarh Muslim University, Bhat began his career as a lawyer and teacher before co-founding the Muslim United Front (MUF) in 1986. The MUF contested the 1987 elections, which were widely alleged to have been rigged, a turning point many believe pushed Kashmir toward militancy.
A Pacifist Amid Turmoil
Bhat’s career reflected contradiction and pragmatism. He was a pro-resistance leader who condemned violence, a moderate whose faction was banned by New Delhi, and a diplomat who met Indian prime ministers while never abandoning his vision of a peaceful resolution.
In a 2003 interview, Bhat said the Kashmir issue was “not to be linked to territory, ethnicity, or religion” but to the “political rights of the people to exercise their choice”. He engaged leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani, pressing for India-Pakistan dialogue while insisting that Kashmiris must be “the final arbitrators of our fate”.
His willingness to talk often drew criticism from within Hurriyat ranks. In 2017, his meeting with New Delhi’s interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma sparked internal divisions. Earlier this year, his faction, the Muslim Conference (MCJK), was banned under anti-terror laws, accused of spreading hatred and maintaining militant links. To his supporters, this was a misreading of a man who consistently rejected violence.
A Void in Kashmiri Politics
Bhat’s death comes at a time when the political space for moderates has narrowed sharply, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Economic distress and ecological issues dominate the Valley, while the APHC’s repeated calls for dialogue, echoed recently by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have gone unanswered.
Across the Line of Control, his passing is mourned. In India, he was seen as a leader who could be engaged. In Pakistan, he was respected as a reasoned advocate for Kashmiris. Among Kashmiris, his loss underscores the fading belief that politics, not violence, can bring resolution.
His Legacy in Brief
Dismissed from teaching in 1986 for allegedly posing a “threat to the security of the state”, he turned to politics.
Co-founded the MUF, whose 1987 election defeat became a trigger for militancy.
Lost his brother to militants but forgave them “in the larger interest”.
Saw his faction banned in 2024, reflecting New Delhi’s tougher stance even against moderates.
Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat’s death closes a chapter in Kashmiri politics where dialogue was still considered possible. His absence leaves a void not easily filled, and a reminder that the moderate centre is steadily eroding.
(Note:Rao Farman Ali is a Kashmiri academic and researcher specializing in history, applied psychology, and social issues. He holds degrees in biology, journalism, and applied psychology, and has extensive experience as an editor, child protection advocate, and social sector professional. He is known for his work on Kashmir’s conflicts and social welfare.)
