Former Hurriyat leader Prof Abdul Gani Bhat passes away; CM Omar, Bilal Lone & Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condole his demise

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 17 (STC): Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, former Hurriyat leader, passed away on Wednesday evening at his home in Sopore, North Kashmir.
Family members informed that Bhat, who lived in Botingoo, Baramulla district, died following a short illness.
Notably, Prof Bhat had a long career in Kashmir’s political and separatist circles. In 1986, he co-founded the Muslim United Front (MUF). He later became chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), a coalition of separatist groups formed in 1993. He also served as president of the Muslim Conference, Jammu and Kashmir (MCJK), a group banned by the Indian government.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the death of Prof Abdul Gani Bhat. In a statement, the Chief Minister said, “I’m saddened to hear about the demise of senior Kashmiri political leader and academician Professor Abdul Gani Bhat Sb. Our political ideologies were poles apart, but I will always remember him as a civil person. He had the courage to espouse the cause of dialogue when many believed violence was the only way forward, and this resulted in him meeting the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji and Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani ji. May Professor Bhat Sb find place in Jannat. My condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Senior Leader Bilal Gani Lone in a condolence message he said that It is deeply distressing to learn about the passing of Professor Abdul Gani Bhat Saheb, one of the senior-most politicians of J&K. I had the privilege of working with him for nearly two decades, during which he became nothing less than a fatherly figure to me. I cherish every moment spent in his company and the invaluable lessons I drew from his wisdom and grace.
Professor Bhat was not only a kind and humble human being but also a rare intellectual, foremost a teacher at heart, a beacon of knowledge and wisdom, and above all, a man who always stood for dialogue, discipline, and reconciliation as the only way to peace in Kashmir, he said.
He also said that despite facing enormous challenges within the Hurriyat, he remained steadfast in his pragmatism and convictions, never swayed by populism or bitterness.
He carried a unique quality that set him apart: even as age caught up with him, he only grew gentler, sweeter, and more thoughtful, unlike many who grow rigid with time. He consistently tried, in whatever way he could, to contribute to a dignified peace for the people of Kashmir.
Today, we have lost not just a leader, but a rare mind and a noble soul. I pray for his eternal peace and extend my deepest condolences and solidarity to his family. May God bless his soul and grant him the highest place in Jannah, he added.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz of Kashmir, Umar Farooq, also expressed grief over the death of Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, describing him as an affectionate elder, a close friend, and a colleague.
In a post on X, Farooq said, “Just heard the very sad news that I lost the affectionate elder, a dear friend and colleague, Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat Sahib, who passed away sometime ago. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. A huge personal loss! May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah. Kashmir has been bereft of a sincere and visionary leader.”
(Straight Talk Communications)