Srinagar: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah came out in support of Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party for putting conditions in order to get Indian passport.
Abdullah also questioned why the J&K government should object to the separatist leader wanting to travel abroad on an Indian passport. The remarks came after the BJP, which is part of the coalition government in the state, said they wanted Geelani to first apologise for the anti-India stand he has taken for the last 25 years.
Geelani has applied for an Indian passport to go to Saudi Arabia and visit his ailing daughter.
The Peoples Democratic Party, which is the other coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir government, though has said that Geelani's request is a humanitarian issue and should be considered.
PDP spokesperson Mehboob Baig said, "This is a humanitarian issue. He wants to visit his daughter. Geelani should apply to the passport office and follow procedure."
Along with Geelani, two other members of his family have applied for the passport.
What's the big deal? Geelani declined to avail a passport in 2011 so why is Mehbooba suddenly trying to appear as some sort of crusader? 1/3
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) May 20, 2015
If he could get a passport in 2011 there is no reason he can't get one in 2015. He's happy to travel on an Indian passport & citizenship 2/3
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) May 20, 2015
I completely fail to understand why BJP would object to Geelani calling himself an Indian unless this is a PDP-BJP fixed match!!!! 3/3
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) May 20, 2015
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