CLAIM
A video of Hurriyat leader and separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani kept under house arrest has been doing rounds on social media after Centre moved to revoke Article 370.
Pakistan-based news channel ‘24 News HD’ also carried the video after Centre’s move. The clip aired by the channel on 5 August said “House Arrested Syed Ali Shah Geelani Challenges Indian Army”.
The video shows Geelani locked inside a house and asking the security personnel present outside to open the gate. He is heard saying “Darwaza kholo hamm urr nahi jayenge (open the door, I will not fly away).”
The Urdu language channel in its graphic said, ‘Helpless Kashmiri leader challenges Indian Army while locked in house arrest. Courage of Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Gilani high while under house arrest.’
The viral post with the video shared on Facebook reiterates his monologue.
“Darwaza Kholo, Hamm Urr To Nahi Jayenge, Tumhari Jamhuriat Ka Janaza Nikal Raha Ha" - (Open the door or else we will break it) Heart wrenching video of house arrested Senior Freedom Fighter of Kashmir Mr. Syed Ali Geelani. A big Shame on India!”
The clip was widely shared after 5 August when Home Minister Amit Shah effectively revoked Article 370 ending the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Since then former chief ministers of J&K, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have been detained. Over 500 political workers and leaders have also been detained in the Valley.
WHAT IS THE TRUTH?
The video is not recent. The original video is from 2018.
Srinagar-based media organisation Greater Kashmir had carried the video in its report on Geelani’s house arrest.
According to the report, Geelani was invoking the statement of DGP Jammu and Kashmir SP Vaid in which he had said that the separatist trio of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik were free.
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