Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu

Jammu, Mar 25: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday declared that separatism is now history in Kashmir, following the decision of two major constituents of the Hurriyat Conference to sever ties with the separatist alliance. He urged more groups to abandon separatism and embrace national unity.

Taking to social media, Shah posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Separatism has become history in Kashmir. The unifying policies of the Modi government have tossed separatism out of J&K. Two organizations associated with the Hurriyat have announced the severing of all ties with separatism. I welcome this step towards strengthening Bharat's unity and urge all such groups to come forward and shed separatism once and for all. It is a big victory for PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision of building a developed, peaceful, and unified Bharat.”

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah declined to comment on the Home Minister’s statement, saying, “I have not seen the tweet. I will comment when I see it.”

In a major setback to the Hurriyat Conference, two of its key affiliates—Jammu Kashmir People’s Movement (JKPM) and Democratic Political Movement (DPM)—announced their departure from the separatist coalition on Monday.

This development follows the Union Home Ministry’s ban on the Mirwaiz Umer Farooq-led Awami Action Committee (AAC) for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Additionally, the Centre has also banned J&K Ittehadul Muslimeen (JKIM), led by Maulvi Masroor Abbas Ansari, under the same law.

The Hurriyat Conference has been largely inactive since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. The recent exit of the two factions further weakens its influence. Advocate Mohammad Shafi Reshi, leader of the DPM, publicly distanced himself from the hardline Geelani faction of the Hurriyat Conference. Reshi, who previously served as the political secretary to the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has now renounced separatism entirely.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) was founded on July 31, 1993, as a political alliance comprising 26 political, social, and religious organizations. Initially formed as a unified separatist front, it later split into two factions on September 7, 2003—one led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the other by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Following Geelani’s death, Masarat Alam Bhat took over as the interim chairman of the faction.

With the Hurriyat’s diminishing relevance, the Indian government’s efforts to establish peace, stability, and national integration in Jammu & Kashmir continue to reshape the region’s political landscape.