Geelani: Getting passport is my right, it should not be politicised

A day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s passport application, the separatist leader on Friday claimed that the form was complete.

“Till now I have only submitted passport application form online and until my house detention is not over, I cannot go for the biometric procedure,” Geelani told reporters here.

Asked whether he has mentioned nationality as Indian in the form, he evaded a direct answer saying, “We live under occupation and it is our compulsion to seek passport under the present system.”

However, sources told Deccan Herald that the octogenarian separatist leader has mentioned nationality as Indian in the application form.

He blamed the media for the hype and termed it as an attempt to complicate the situation. “Getting a passport is my right and the issue must not be given a political colour,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Centre on Friday said it will consider the passport application of Geelani only after he completes the formalities and indicated that it was not averse to approving it. 

"If it comes to us after due formalities, we will think over it.... We have no objections," Home Minister Rajnath Singh told reporters. 

The Home Minister was asked whether the Central government will give passport to the Kashmiri separatist leader. Singh was speaking on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi.

The MEA had on Thursday reportedly said that Geelani’s application could not be processed as he had submitted an “incomplete” form. 

Geelani, who has been under house arrest for most part of the last five years, had applied for a passport online claiming that he and his family members wants to visit his ailing daughter in Saudi Arabia.

Pak flags waved againSupporters of moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwiaz Umar Farooq were seen hoisting flags of Pakistan and terror organisation LeT during a protest rally in Srinagar on Friday.

Reports said soon after Friday prayers, dozens of youth raising pro-Pak and anti-India slogans clashed with police and CRPF personnel in Nowhatta.

Eyewitnesses told Deccan Herald that some of the masked youth were carrying flags of Pakistan and LeT. The clashes between the protesters and security forces continued till the evening. Reports said a photojournalist received minor injuries during the clashes.

While defending the actions of his supporters Mirwaiz said for the last three days, they have not been allowed to move out by the police.