RSS, Shankaracharyas, And Secret Talks: Yasin Malik's Fresh Claims

RSS, Shankaracharyas, And Secret Talks: Yasin Malik's Fresh Claims

None of the individuals or organizations mentioned by Malik have provided any confirmation or statements regarding these allegations.

New Delhi:

Yasin Malik, a convicted terrorist and leader of the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), has submitted an extensive affidavit to the Delhi High Court containing numerous claims about his past interactions with prominent political figures and religious leaders.

The document, which NDTV has obtained access to, presents what appears to be a two-decade narrative of Malik's alleged engagements, including dialogues with two Shankaracharyas, extensive communication with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leadership, meetings with Indian intelligence officials, and his purported role in supporting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Ramzan ceasefire initiative in 2000-01.

It should be noted that these statements represent Malik's court declarations. None of the individuals or organizations he references have validated or responded to these claims.

Regarding Hindu Religious Leadership Encounters

One of Malik's principal assertions involves at least two Shankaracharyas from different maths allegedly visiting his Srinagar residence "umpteen numbers of times" and even participating in a joint press conference with him.

"Two Shankracharyas from different maths separately visited my Srinagar residence not once but umpteen numbers of times and conducted a press conference with me. Isn't it curious and worth contemplating that rather than avoiding someone like me, such representatives of the majority community chose to associate their respected names with someone facing such serious and grave allegations?" Malik states in his affidavit.

Malik did not identify the specific Shankaracharyas or provide dates for these alleged visits.

Claims of RSS Connections

Malik further alleges a "marathon" five-hour meeting with RSS leaders at New Delhi's India International Centre in 2011. According to him, this meeting was coordinated by the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR), a Delhi-based think tank.

He additionally claims that Admiral KK Nair, who was then chairperson of the Vivekananda International Foundation, repeatedly invited him for "luncheons" both at Mr. Nair's residence and at the India International Centre.

"The question arises why, instead of maintaining distance or not engaging with someone like me even with a ten-foot pole, would RSS leadership or the chairperson of RSS organization's think tank Vivekananda Institute, Admiral KK Nair, frequently invite me to his New Delhi residence for luncheons and meetings at India International Centre," Malik claimed in the affidavit.

Regarding Vajpayee's Ceasefire Initiative

Malik proceeds to describe his alleged involvement during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's unilateral Ramzan ceasefire announcement in 2000-01.

According to Malik, he met with Ajit Doval in Delhi, who introduced him to then-IB Director Shyamal Dutta and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra. Both reportedly told him that the Prime Minister was committed to resolving the Kashmir issue and encouraged him to support the ceasefire.

Malik claims another channel of engagement was led by RK Mishra, a close associate of PM Vajpayee, who allegedly hosted Malik at his Vasant Vihar residence in Delhi and arranged a breakfast meeting with Brajesh Mishra.

Malik asserts that he contacted JKLF General Secretary Rafeeq Darr in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and facilitated a call with United Jihad Council (UJC) chief Syed Salahuddin. He claims he urged Salahuddin to welcome the ceasefire, provided it would be followed by unconditional dialogue. According to Malik, Salahuddin agreed to consult with UJC leadership on the matter.

Regarding Hurriyat involvement, Malik says he requested Prof Abdul Gani Bhatt to convene an executive council meeting. The following day, he claims, leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ghani Lone, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abbas Ansari, and Malik himself issued a joint statement supporting PM Vajpayee's ceasefire initiative—with the condition that talks should follow.

Malik claims this was coordinated with UJC leaders through a phone call from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during the meeting. He argues that this process fostered a "positive atmosphere" in Kashmir.

International Travel and Documentation

According to Malik, both PM Vajpayee and then Home Minister LK Advani supported his peace initiatives and granted him his first-ever passport in 2001. He claims he traveled openly with valid visas to the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, advocating for "non-violent democratic peaceful struggle" and resolution of Kashmir through dialogue.

"This was the first time in my life I possessed a passport for international travel," he writes in the affidavit.

Allegations Regarding PM Manmohan Singh

Malik alleges in his affidavit that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh personally thanked him following his 2006 meeting with Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan. Malik claims this meeting was not his initiative but was arranged at the request of senior Indian intelligence officials as part of backchannel peace efforts after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.

According to Malik, then Intelligence Bureau Special Director VK Joshi requested him to engage with both Pakistan's political leadership and militant leaders during his visit, arguing that meaningful peace required including such figures. Malik claims he met Saeed and other UJC leaders at a gathering where he delivered a speech advocating reconciliation.

Malik alleges that upon returning to India from Pakistan, he briefed PM Singh in Delhi with then National Security Advisor MK Narayanan present, after which the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for his efforts. He also claims PM Singh referred to him as the "father of the non-violent movement in Kashmir".