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Journalism of Courage
In this silent South Delhi flat, five top Kashmiri separatist leaders were tense, preparing for a meeting that would be part of history books.
The Hurriyat doves had flown to New Delhi last evening and had a full night to deliberate over the possible talks agenda. And after a packed day of meetings with journalists and friends, it was time to turn to their wardrobe.
Mirwaiz had chosen his auspicious black achkan with white trousers and a grey Karakul cap reserved for special occasions. He had also put on some ‘‘attar’’ (perfume)—again considered auspicious.
‘‘I always pray that this bloodshed comes to a permanent end in Kashmir. And as we are leaving to meet PM Manmohan Singh. We know we have initiated a process, putting a lot at stake. We want this process to lead to an honourable and durable solution,’’ he said. ‘‘The talks cannot go to a higher level than this. And if they don’t succeed then there is nothing else in sight.’’
Bilal Lone, son of assassinated Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone, was ready with a new, light ferozi kurta and a lined black waistcoat to go with it. The Hurriyat doves were staying in his party man’s flat.
Abdul Gani Bhat, too, had a fresh white cotton dress but this time, he did not wear his trademark green skull cap. However, he had purchased a new pair of sandals for the occasion. He said, ‘‘The principle of dialogue is on the principle of give and take and we will proceed with a deeper sense of accommodation.’’
Bhat said that the guiding principle of our talks is that we have to be ‘‘flexible, imaginative and courageous… We (Hurriyat) are here to take bold initiatives and bold decisions’’.
Moulana Abbas Ansari, however, was in his routine Shia cleric attire but wearing a brown, instead of his usual black, gown. And he spent most of his time on the praying mat.
