EP-290 | What Does Kashmir Want? Is Azadi Sentiment Still Alive? | Former Separatist Bilal Gani Lone

Bilal Lone is a former separatist and the elder son of Abdul Gani Lone, the Hurriyat Conference leader who founded the People’s Conference. Bilal was part of the Hurriyat Conference delegation that met Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani in Delhi in 2004. His younger brother, Sajjad Lone, is currently a member of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. Bilal was aligned with the Mirwaiz faction of the Hurriyat when it split into two groups — the so-called moderates led by Mirwaiz and the hardliners led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Abdul Gani Lone states that the terrorists who attacked Pahalgam do not represent the mindset of all Kashmiris. He emphasises that the people of Kashmir want peace and do not want to be associated with radical elements.

He also advocates for a war with Pakistan, urging that it should be settled once and for all, for the sake of all Kashmiris. Abdul Gani Lone also explains why he stopped visiting Pakistan and stepped away from separatist leadership, sharing the reasons that led to a change in his perspective.

00:00 – Introduction

01:55 – Normalcy in Kashmir

06:07 – Local Support for Terrorists

13:16 – Conflict Zone of Kashmir

16:44 – Hurriyat's Ties with Pakistan

19:59 – Extremism in Kashmir

25:59 – Tourists Saved by Locals

29:26 – Kashmir Leaders Unite

33:19 – Indus Treaty on Hold

39:45 – Kashmir's Tourism Industry Setback

48:37 – Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus

52:31 – PM Modi's Warning to Terrorists

58:09 – BJP in Kashmir

1:07:55 – AS Dulat's Book Row

1:09:55 – Advani's Meeting with Hurriyat Leaders