Experts rubbish Geelani's remark on army run schools

Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's comment that educational institutes run by the army are making students indifferent towards their own religion and culture was rubbished by a defence analyst on Saturday.

Former Indian Army Major General Ashok Mehta told ANI, "It is not surprising. However, Mr. Geelani should be aware of the fact that army does not function on the religious grounds and is a secular institution."

Mehta questioned as to why separatists were even allowed to speak and added that their mouths shall be sealed.

Earlier, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh today urged the youth of Kashmir to ask Geelani as to why his children were not part of the so-called freedom struggle in the state.

"In this logical era, Kashmiri youth should ask Geelani, if jihad is so great, then firstly they should tell their children to leave their studies, jobs and join their so-called fight against freedom, rather than talking about closing schools meant for needy children," Singh said.

Singh also appealed to the youth of Kashmir to join the path of development.

Singh's view was also endorsed by senior journalist Rahul Jalali who said, "Mr. Geelani should ask himself where his own kids pursue education from?"

A day before, Geelani had blamed the army for indoctrinating children through their educational institutes.

Geelani said he was suspicious about the activities run by these army schools.