Geelani-Farooq spar at IT conclave in New Delhi

Srinagar: They are each other’s betenoire and it turned out to be so when ruling National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Chairman of his faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani came face to face at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi on Saturday.While the presence of Farooq Abdullah, minister of new and renewable energy in the Manmohan Singh-led government, among the panel of speakers surprised many, Geelani straightaway lashed out at the scion of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.“Mohataram (respected) Farooq Abdullah Sahib spoke up although he was not among those invited to speak. Our elders have told us that disease can be cured by visiting a physician but one can’t change habits and he (Farooq Abdullah) has come between,” Geelani said before beginning his address on the topic: Kashmir, what next?  As soon as Geelani completed his speech, the moderator allowed a question from a former Army officer in audience, JJ Singh, about “silence by Geelani” on innocent killings attributed to militants. The 81-year-old, Geelani responded by saying that he has always condemned the killings through speeches and books authored by him. He cited Chattisinghpora massacre involving killing of 48 persons including 35 sikhs between March 20 to April 3, 2000 and reminded audience that Farooq Abdullah was the chief minister of the state then.This infuriated NC president and as the Geelani was speaking, Farooq Abdullah interfered and related the immediate topic to the happenings in Pakistan.“There is difference between what Geelani says and what he does. I was in Jammu at that time and landed by helicopter on the very spot were the incident occurred and issued directions on-the-scene. What is happening in Pakistan? Governor, Christian minister were killed and nobody was allowed to offer funeral prayers of the governor…. Is this Pakistan you are talking about Geelani!” While Geelani had grin on his face as he was drinking water, a diplomat from Pakistan in audience stood up to inform Farooq Abdullah that he himself participated in the funeral prayers of the governor, Salmaan Taseer of Panjab. As the camera focused on a red-faced Farooq Abdullah, former high commissioner of Pakistan to India, Aziz Ahmed Khan objected to Islamabad’s ‘bashing’ and called for discussion exclusively on the topic at hand.Pertinently, as per the invitation, Geelani was to share the stage with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on the topic. However as the event unfolded, the dais was shared among Geelani and Farooq Abdullah by former Indian minister and presently Bahujan Samaj Party leader, Arif Mohammad Khan.