J&K: Politicians Urge For Proper Treatment Of Imprisoned Kashmiri Separatist Leader Shabir Shah

Kashmiri politicians cutting across political ideologies and party lines have appealed to the central government to allow proper treatment of incarcerated Separatist leader Shabir Shah on humanitarian grounds.

Shabir Shah, incarcerated in Tihar Jail for a considerable period, reportedly has prostate cancer and is in urgent need of surgery.

The leaders include former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, former separatist-turned-mainstream politician and People's Conference chief Sajad Lone and Chairman of the moderate wing of Hurriyat Conference, valley's head priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

According to the family, 74-year-old Shah is battling life-threatening cancer in Tihar jail. In an open letter to the media, his wife, Dr Bilquies Shah, said her husband needs 'urgent medical attention'.       

"For years, my husband has shown commendable strength and patience, but today, his health is deteriorating rapidly. He needs medical attention more than ever before. His weight has decreased precariously, he struggles with several severe symptoms, and prison doctors have expressed concern about his declining condition. Multiple doctors have advised three surgeries and emphasised the need for both pre-operative and post-operative care- treatment that cannot be adequately provided within the prison system", she wrote in a letter.

According to Dr Shah, Shabir Shah suffers from 'several underlying health conditions, which make the situation even more critical'. The letter further said that the family had zero contact with the leader or access to his medical records.

"We were allowed occasional phone calls, but for about 2 years now, even those have been stopped. We have zero contact with him. No phone calls, no updates. We do not know how he is doing. We approached the court about this matter, but there have been several hearings with no respite," the letter read.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti also urged the Union government to allow the presence of the family of incarcerated separatist leader Shabir Shah during his treatment for cancer in Tihar Jail on humanitarian grounds.

"Shabir Shah, incarcerated in Tihar Jail for a considerable period, reportedly has prostate cancer and is in urgent need of surgery. It is deeply unfortunate that the Courts have barred his family from being present during his treatment. Appeal to the Home Secretary Govind Mohan ji, to kindly intervene on humanitarian grounds & ensure that due compassionate care is extended in this critical time and that his family is allowed to be by his side at this difficult hour," Mufti wrote in a post on X.

Speaking in Jama Masjid as part of Friday Prayers, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also appealed to the Government of India to Ensure Urgent Medical Care and Uphold Prisoners' Human Rights.

"Our own conflict has taken a huge toll on people's lives and their families. Reports of Shabir Shah Sahab's serious health condition in Tihar Jail, and denial of access to his family members to talk to him on the phone for the past two years, or care for him when he is facing such a medical emergency and is in dire need of a surgery, is very unfortunate and disturbing," he wrote in a post on X.

Mirwaiz said he "spoke to his wife yesterday, who told me that the family's bail plea on his grave medical condition had been rejected, and she does not know how to help him. "

Sajad Lone also appealed for Shabir Shah's release. "Shabir Shah Sahib is very, very ill. He is suffering from life-threatening ailments which require urgent medical intervention, possibly surgery. He is more than 75. I may disagree with his political ideology, but he has always believed in non-violence. He is dear to me."

Lone urged the Lieutenant Governor's office to consider 'home custody or house arrest' until Shah's health stabilises. "He would want to be near his loved ones when he is wheeled in for surgery. The least we can do is have his family around him," added Lone.

Shabir Shah has spent 39 years of his life in prison. "He has never raised a weapon, never incited violence, and yet he continues to remain incarcerated without a single conviction in any criminal court. Shabir Shah is not just a political figure. He symbolises peaceful resistance and moral strength", says his family.