In a significant turn of events, the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a seismic shift as the Lok Sabha elections approach. Ruwa Shah, the granddaughter of the late hardline Hurriyat patriarch Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and Sama Shabir, the elder daughter of jailed Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) founder Shabir Shah, have both publicly disassociated themselves from the separatist ideology. Instead, they have pledged their loyalty to “the sovereignty of the Union of India.”
In separate but identical notices published in a local daily, Ruwa Shah and Sama Shabir declared their allegiance to the ‘Union of India’. Sama, in her statement, clarified, “I have not been associated nor have any affiliation with the Democratic Freedom Party, nor do I have any inclination towards the ideology of the Democratic Freedom Party.” She further asserted, “I am a loyal citizen of India and I am not affiliated with any person or organization which is against the sovereignty of the Union of India.”
The passing of Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani in September 2021 marked a significant milestone. Geelani, who had renounced electoral politics in favor of leading the separatist campaign in the state, had been under house arrest for 13 years prior to his death. Despite his detention, his influence on the separatist movement remained profound.
Before his demise, Geelani had been a member of the legislative assembly in the erstwhile state, representing the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Muslim United Front. However, with the rise of anti-India insurgency in the Valley in 1989, he withdrew from electoral politics to focus on advocating for Kashmiri separatism.
Shabir Shah, the founder of the Democratic Freedom Party, had become a prominent figure in the separatist movement. However, since the formation of the JKDFP, he was perceived as being influenced by Pakistan’s ISI, with whom he allegedly maintained ties through his Pak/PoK-based representative Mehmood Ahmed Sagar.
The decisions of Ruwa Shah and Sama Shabir to distance themselves from separatist ideologies underscore a shifting political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir. As the region prepares for upcoming elections, their declarations signal a departure from traditional separatist narratives and a potential realignment of political allegiances within the state.
