New Delhi, October 22: A shoe was thrown at hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani at a function where Kashmiri separatists as well as Naxal and Khalistan sympathisers came together today under one platform to air their grievances.
The shoe missed Geelani, who was seated in the dais, when the incident happened after pandemonium broke out following protests by a group of people including Kashmiri Pandits who disrupted the convention themed ‘Azaadi–The Only Way’ by shouting slogans.
Shouts of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ along with slogans of ‘Azaadi’ echoed in the small LTG auditorium in the heart of the national capital.
Though Geelani had not yet taken the floor, the protesters numbering around 70, holding the national flag, raised slogans asking him to leave.
A human chain was immediately thrown around him on the dais by the organisers and his sympathisers even as Delhi Police personnel moved in.
Protesters were literally dragged out and the situation had become tense.
Geelani, however, remained calm and smiled occasionally.
Once the protesters were taken away, things were normal for a while.
Some of the protesters, who had managed to stay behind, again started shouting as known Naxal sympathiser Vara Vara Rao said people fighting for rights in central India, in an apparent reference to Maoists, are bound in solidarity with stone-pelting Kashmiri youngsters.
The situation became tense when noted author Arundati Roy began her speech.
Roy called India a “very hollow super-power” since 830 million people live on less than Rs 20 here.
She compared the protests in the Kashmir to the Naxals operating in central India and to even the ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’. Roy said people everywhere are fighting for their rights.
“Bows and arrows in adivasi’s hand and stones in the hands of the Kashmiri youngsters are essential but we need more,” she said.
Roy said everyone needs to come together and have a feeling of oneness.
“We should not feel that I should get my rights and it is ok if the person next to me does not get his or her right.”
Roy’s initial comments about Kashmiri Pandits led to a hue and cry as about 10-odd protesters tried to shout her down.
Things finally settled after CRPF personnel, who were called in after the first round of protests, along with Delhi Police took them out, a move which was greeted by a thunderous applause from those present.
Other speakers included those who spoke in favour of Khalistan and on the problems in the North-East.
One of the speakers even said that though “we have lost the battle, our dream of a Khalistan still remains”.
–PTI