Former Separatists Enter Mainstream Politics, Signal New Era Ahead of Elections
Srinagar, Sep 4 In a remarkable turn of events in Kashmir’s ever-evolving political landscape, several former separatists and their family members are now joining mainstream political parties, with some even diving headfirst into electoral politics. This unprecedented shift is being perceived as a significant “ideological transformation” that could reshape the future of the region.
This political realignment comes shortly after the banned Jamaat-e-Islami made headlines by fielding its members as independent candidates across several constituencies—marking their return to the electoral arena for the first time since 1987. The move is being seen as a dramatic change from the group’s long-standing position of non-participation in electoral politics, indicating a strategic pivot in response to the evolving socio-political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir.
Among the notable figures making this shift is Syed Saleem Gilani, a former separatist leader who recently joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti. Gilani has a long history of association with the moderate Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. As the head of the Jammu and Kashmir National People’s Party and a member of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat faction, Gilani played a crucial role as an interlocutor in 2005, facilitating dialogue with Kashmiri Pandits for their return to the Valley. However, he parted ways with the Hurriyat Conference in 2015, marking the beginning of his gradual shift away from separatism.
Speaking about his decision to join the PDP, Gilani cited the party’s commitment to addressing the Kashmir issue and advocating for the release of detainees as reasons that resonate with his personal convictions. “The PDP’s commitment to resolving the Kashmir issue and freeing detainees resonates with my own beliefs,” he said, underscoring the ideological realignment that is taking place in Kashmir’s political spectrum.
This trend is not limited to Gilani alone. Last week, Aga Syed Muntazir, the son of Aga Syed Hassan Al Moosvi, a senior leader of the Anjuman Sharie Shian and a Hurriyat Conference member, also made a surprising move by joining the PDP. Muntazir has now been fielded as a candidate from the Budgam assembly segment, further signaling a broader shift within sections of the separatist camp.
These defections to mainstream politics are more than just symbolic; they suggest a deeper, underlying transformation taking place within Kashmir’s political psyche. The entry of former separatists into the electoral fray could indicate a desire for more pragmatic, results-oriented politics—one that balances regional aspirations with the need for stability, development, and dialogue.
Observers believe that these moves could lead to a more inclusive political environment in Kashmir, one where a range of voices and ideologies can coexist and engage constructively within the democratic framework. With former separatists now willing to engage with electoral politics, a new chapter may be unfolding in the region, where ideological lines are blurred, and traditional power dynamics are challenged.
As Kashmir heads into this new phase, the political landscape is poised for significant changes, and the upcoming elections could be a testing ground for this new wave of politics—one that seeks to bridge the divide between past ideologies and present realities.
