In a significant departure from their family legacies, the daughter of jailed Kashmir separatist Shabir Ahmad Shah, Sama Shabir, and the granddaughter of the late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Ruwa Shah, have publicly distanced themselves from separatist ideologies prevalent in Kashmir. This bold move signals a pivotal shift in their affiliations, as they pledge their unwavering loyalty to the sovereignty of the Union of India.
Their declarations came through identical public notices published in local newspapers, where they unequivocally denounced separatist politics. Ruwa Shah, the daughter of Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah, explicitly disassociated herself from her late grandfather’s Hurriyat Conference faction, emphasizing her lack of sympathy towards its ideology.
“I am a loyal citizen of India, not affiliated with any organization against the Union of India,” stated Ruwa Shah firmly in her published notice.
Similarly, Sama Shabir, a former CBSE topper in Kashmir, highlighted her allegiance to India and distanced herself from her father’s banned separatist organization. Shabir Ahmad Shah, currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail on charges of money laundering and terror funding, saw his daughter firmly assert her independence from his political affiliations.
“I am not associated with the DFP or its ideology,” affirmed Sama Shabir in her notice, emphasizing her commitment to India and cautioning against any unauthorized linkage to separatist groups.
The legal entanglements of Shabir Ahmad Shah further underscored the significance of this public declaration. Arrested in 2017 over alleged money laundering linked to terror financing, Shah faced additional charges from the National Investigation Agency. The case originated from a 2005 incident involving Mohammed Aslam Wani, an alleged hawala dealer, apprehended by the Special Cell of Delhi Police with a substantial amount of cash, purportedly intended for Shah.
In 2019, Sama Shabir was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the case. However, her absence at the time, due to pursuing law studies in the United Kingdom, was noted.
The courageous stance taken by Sama Shabir and Ruwa Shah signifies a significant shift in Kashmir’s political landscape, reflecting a growing trend among Kashmiri youth to embrace a more inclusive and integrative approach, rooted in the principles of unity and allegiance to the Indian nation.
