Srinagar, June 21, : Octogenarian pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was barred from attending a seminar about Urdu at Kashmir University while sensing trouble, the authorities at Kashmir University cancelled his proposed visit to Varsity.
Students of University of Kashmir had invited Syed Ali Geelani to deliver a talk on “Is there a conspiracy against Urdu? And why it is important to read it.
“You must know that an Urdu book fair has been organized in the Kashmir University and people from all walks of life are coming to the venue. Your contribution to the Urdu literature is unmatched be it your Wular Kinaray, a treasure of history, politics, and your treatise on Allama Iqbal. It will be honor for us, students and scholars of KU that we be your host. We invite you to deliver a talk on ‘Is there a conspiracy against Urdu? and why it is important to read it’ outside Kashmir University’s Allama Iqbal Library on June 21 at 11 am,” read the invitation letter sent to Geelani by the students,” the invitation sent to Geelani by students and scholars read.
The programme held outside Allama Iqbal Library at Kashmir University on Friday, however, Geelani according to a spokesperson was neither allowed by authorities to visit the varsity nor did authorities at Kashmir University approach him on Friday. “We came to know through media that Kashmir University has cancelled his proposed his visit,” he said adding that Geelani was ready to participate in the event but was barred by authorities.
Pertinently, Geelani has been placed under house arrest since 2010 and he is not allowed to venture out from his Hyderpora based house.
