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What Is The Hurriyat Conference? Details Of Its History, Controversy, And Shifting Allegiances In Jammu & Kashmir

From its formation as a pro-independence alliance to its controversial ties with separatist movements and Pakistan, the Hurriyat Conference has played a central role in shaping the political discourse of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hurriyat Conference
Chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, separatist leaders Nayeem Khan and Shabir Shah, and cleric Aga Syed Hassan at a 2015 press conference in Srinagar Photo: Getty Images
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Hours before the arrival of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Srinagar, three outfits of Hurriyat renounced separatist politics.

Mohammad Yousuf Naqash, Chairman of the Islamic Political Party Jammu and Kashmir, Hakeem Abdul Rashid, Chairman of the Muslim Democratic League Jammu and Kashmir, and Bashir Ahmad Andrabi, Chairman of the Kashmir Freedom Front (KFF), have formally disassociated themselves and their parties from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and its ideology.

But what is the Hurriyat Conference? What is their history and controversy?

What Is The Conference?

The Hurriyat Conference, officially known as the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), is a political and separatist alliance that has played a pivotal role in the tumultuous political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. Established in 1993, the organization served as a unifying platform for various political factions and separatist leaders advocating for either full independence for Jammu and Kashmir or its integration with Pakistan.

Formed in response to the growing unrest in the region following the insurgency of 1989, the Hurriyat emerged during a period of intense violence, with armed militants, supported by Pakistan, seeking to end Indian rule in the region.

A key characteristic of the Hurriyat Conference was its ideological diversity. The alliance brought together both hardline separatists and moderates, making it a multifaceted and often divided entity.

The divide between hardliners and moderates often led to tensions within the Hurriyat, and over time, the alliance fractured as both camps pursued differing paths for Kashmir's future.

Controversies and Allegations

The Hurriyat Conference has been embroiled in several controversies over the years, largely due to its separatist stance and alleged ties with militant groups.

It has been accused of having links to Pakistan-based militant organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, both of which have been involved in cross-border terrorism. Some Hurriyat leaders were alleged to have supported these groups' objectives, which brought the alliance under scrutiny by Indian authorities.

The Indian government has consistently labeled the Hurriyat as a destabilizing force, accusing it of inciting violence and creating an atmosphere of insecurity in the region. Several Hurriyat leaders have been arrested or placed under house arrest by Indian security forces, and their funds have been scrutinized for possible links to terrorism.

In recent years, the Hurriyat Conference has witnessed a significant decline in its influence. As Kashmir라이브 바카라 political future becomes more tightly controlled by the Indian government, several prominent members of the Hurriyat have moderated their positions, disassociating from separatism and calling for peace and cooperation within the Indian framework.

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