Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Separatist leader, academic and former chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Prof Abdul Gani Bhat died Wednesday evening at his home in north Kashmir’s Sopore. He was 89.
Born in 1935 in Sopore, Bhat studied Persian, economics and political science at Srinagar’s Sri Pratap College before earning a postgraduate degree in Persian and law from Aligarh Muslim University.
Known for his eloquence, sharp wit, and philosophical depth, he stands as one of the most respected voices in Kashmiri politics. Throughout his political career, he has been recognized for his oratory skills.
His speeches often combine political analysis with historical, cultural, and philosophical references, making him a unique voice among Kashmiri leaders. He has also been noted for his candidness, at times openly acknowledging sensitive aspects of Kashmir’s political history that others would avoid discussing.
He taught Persian for 22 years before stepping into politics, co-founding Muslim United Front in 1986 and later becoming chairman of Hurriyat Conference, an amalgam of separatist groups formed in 1993. He was dismissed by state government headed by Jagmohan in backdrop of Babri Masjid and Jammu events.
Long identified with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led faction of Hurriyat, he was among the separatists who broke ground by holding direct talks with Union government in the early 2000s. In Jan 2004, he joined Mirwaiz and others in meeting then Deputy PM LK Advani in New Delhi, followed by a separate meeting with PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was also part of Hurriyat delegations that met PM Manmohan Singh in 2005 and 2006.
In the broader context of Kashmiri politics, Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat is remembered not only as a politician but also as a teacher, philosopher, and orator, someone who represents a blend of intellect and activism in Kashmir.
Following his death, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called his death “a huge personal loss”.
CM Omar Abdullah wrote on X: “Our political ideologies were poles apart but I will always remember him as a very civil person… he had the courage to espouse the cause of dialogue when many believed violence was the only way forward.”
