Geelani applies for passport to visit ailing daughter; BJP says declare loyalty, fly out later

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has openly objected to the granting of passport to Syed Ali Geelani, chairman of the hardline Hurriyat faction in Jammu and Kashmir,

BJP has said that Geelani should first declare loyalty and fly out later. The issue has sparked a divide between BJP and the People's Democratic Party the ruling coalition government in the state.

Geelani has sought a passport to visit his daughter Farhat Jabeen Geelani, who is admitted in a hospital in Saudi Arabia in a critical condition.

A day ago, Jammu and Kashmir unit of BJP had said Geelani should acknowledge he is Indian and "apologise" for his anti-national activities.

"Passport cannot be given to Geelani sahib till he apologises for the mistakes he has committed during the past 25 years. Passports are issued to Indian citizens and not the ones who don't believe in India and its democracy," BJP spokesman Khalid Jehangir said in a statement here.

The BJP spokesman said "if Geelani acknowledges that he is an Indian and won't indulge in anti-India activities, then Government of India can consider his request for the passport".

"The Government of India cannot give a passport to a person who spews venom against the country where he lives and enjoys all the comforts," Jehangir said.