A week after his nomination papers were rejected from the Zainapora constituency in South Kashmir, jailed separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, popularly known as Sarjan Barkati, is all set to file his nomination papers again Indian Express reported.
Barkarti has decided to contest from the Ganderbal Assembly seat in Central Kashmir, where he will be up against former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah.
“Yes, it has been decided that (Barkati) will file his nomination papers from Ganderbal,” his nephew Rehbar Ahmad told The Indian Express.
Barkati’s nomination papers were rejected on August 28, with officials saying he could not provide a complete signed oath certificate on time. His supporters, however, accused NC Zainapora candidate Showkat Ahmad Ganai of “influencing the decision”.
While Barkati’s family then said they would approach the court to get the decision overturned, a decision has now been taken for the 38-year-old to contest from Ganderbal.
The Ganderbal constituency is traditionally seen as a stronghold of the Abdullahs. Three generations – Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Farooq and Omar – have contested from this seat. The NC has fielded Omar, who last won the seat in 2008, this time. Independent MP Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has fielded former Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) president Sheikh Ashiq, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fielded Bashir Ahmad Mir.
Last week, Barkati’s decision to file his nomination papers from Zainapora had surprised everyone. His daughter Sugra Barkati, who filed the nomination papers on behalf of her jailed father, had urged people to vote for him to secure his release.
Barkati, who was once affiliated with the Ummat-e-Islami, a socio-religious organisation, was arrested by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) for an alleged fundraiser in August 2023. A few months later, his wife was also arrested in the case.
“The case pertains to Barkati’s involvement in orchestrating an extensive fundraising campaign, resulting in the generation of funds amounting to crores. These funds were subsequently misused, involving money laundering and acquisition of undisclosed assets for propagation of radicalism within the Kashmir Valley,” the SIA had said.
The cleric was the central figure in protest rallies in South Kashmir, triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in 2016, which lasted over three months. Barkati’s unique style of sloganeering had soon made him popular, earning him the moniker “freedom chacha”. Police registered 30 cases against Barkati over the protest rallies. He managed to give them the slip several times before finally being held in October 2016 and booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
He was released two years later, but was again arrested under the PSA. Released in November 2022, he was booked in August 2023 over the fund raising charges Indian Express reported.
