Geelani will have to follow procedures like everyone else: Jitendra Singh

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh on Thursday said that if Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani is granted permission to go abroad, he will have to follow the procedure like every other individual.

"Even if permission to go abroad is given, the process will be similar to what everyone is put through. Law is clear on the provisions to be made on humanitarian grounds," Jitendra Singh told ANI.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said Geelani's passport decision has to be taken in a rational manner.

"We have to have a full discussion and a complete view about the subject, cannot comment on a matter on which the government has to take a political call. Decision has to be taken in a very rational manner," Rijiju told the media here.

Geelani has applied for an Indian passport to go to Saudi Arabia and visit his ailing daughter.

Earlier this week, Geelani's wife and son completed biometrics at the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Srinagar after they had applied online for their passports.