The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Thursday strongly condemned action of Indian government to deny right to choose burial rites and site for Syed Ali Shah Geelani, an iconic Kashmiri leader.
Geelani for over seven decades peacefully supported human rights and freedoms of Kashmiri Muslims including their right to self-determination as enshrined in United Nations Security Council resolutions.
In a tweet on social media platform Twitter, the commission also said, “Also condemnable are Indian government actions in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to impose communication blockade by snapping internet, imposition of curfew and restrictive lockdown limiting freedom movement and assembly of Kashmiris to deny them to peacefully mourn and bid farewell to their beloved leader.”
2/2 Also condemnable are Indian Govt actions in IoJ&K to impose communication blockade by snapping internet, imposition of curfew/restrictive lockdown limiting freedom of movement and assembly of Kashmiris to deny them to peacefully mourn and bid farewell to their beloved leader
— OIC-IPHRC (@OIC_IPHRC) September 2, 2021
India locks down restive Kashmir
Geelani, 91, was buried in a graveyard near his home before dawn with only a few hundred people, including his family and neighbours, allowed to attend the funeral, a government official said.
“There was heavy security at the funeral, including plain clothes policemen,” the official said.
Geelani, who died on Wednesday, had been unwell for some time, his family said.
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Among the most prominent political leaders in Kashmir – a Himalayan region claimed by both India and Pakistan in full, but ruled in parts – Geelani for years led an umbrella alliance of secessionists known as the Hurriyat Conference.
But the group split in 2003, when hardliners led by Geelani, who advocated Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan, walked out after moderates decided to hold talks with New Delhi. He was kept under house arrest more than a decade after leading several anti-India protests.
Read more: Indian forces deny public funeral of Syed Ali Geelani in IOJK
Around Geelani’s home and elsewhere in Srinagar, armed troops lined main roads and manned checkpoints, a Reuters witness said, as authorities sought to prevent protests in the wake of his passing.
APP with additional input by GVS News Desk