On March 24, 2025, a surprising piece of news rippled through Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), a region long caught in the tangle of conflict, separatism, and hope for peace. Advocate Mohammad Shafi Reshi, a man who once walked alongside one of Kashmir’s most iconic separatist leaders, Syed Ali Geelani, announced he was done with that world. He didn’t just step away quietly—he publicly cut all ties with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and the Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Political Movement (DPM), groups he’d been linked to for years. Even more striking, he swore his loyalty to India, calling himself a “bona fide citizen” committed to the Indian Constitution. This wasn’t just a personal choice; it sent shockwaves through J&K’s political scene, hinting at a possible shift in a region that’s seen decades of unrest.

Who is Mohammad Shafi Reshi? Why did he make this move now? And what does it mean for Kashmir? Let’s unpack his story step by step, digging into his past, his reasons, and the bigger picture around him. Along the way, we’ll lean on real facts from trusted sources like The Hindu, Hindustan Times, Daily Excelsior, and Kashmir Despatch, all reporting on this as it unfolded in March 2025.

The Man Behind the Move: Who is Mohammad Shafi Reshi?

Mohammad Shafi Reshi isn’t a stranger to Kashmir’s political circles. Hailing from Gulberg Colony in Baghat, Srinagar, he’s a lawyer by trade—an advocate who’s spent years navigating the legal system. But his life wasn’t always about courtrooms and case files. For a long time, he was deeply tied to Kashmir’s separatist movement, a cause that’s shaped the region since the late 1980s. What made him stand out was his close connection to Syed Ali Geelani, a towering figure who spent his life pushing for Kashmir to break away from India and merge with Pakistan.

Reshi wasn’t just a bystander—he was an insider. Reports from The Kashmiriyat (March 24, 2025) call him a “close aide” of Geelani, while The Week (March 25, 2025) notes he once served as Geelani’s political secretary. That’s no small role. Geelani, who died in 2021, was the hardline face of the Hurriyat Conference, a coalition of groups formed in 1993 to unite separatist voices in Kashmir. Reshi’s position put him right in the thick of that ideology, helping shape strategies and spread Geelani’s vision of an independent or Pakistan-aligned Kashmir.

But Reshi’s separatist journey wasn’t limited to the Hurriyat. He also led the Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Political Movement (DPM), a lesser-known outfit he chaired until 2017. According to Kashmir Despatch (March 24, 2025), that’s when he first started pulling away from the DPM, stepping down as chairman and slowly distancing himself from separatist politics. It wasn’t a clean break back then—he stayed on the radar—but it was the beginning of a shift that would take years to fully play out.

So, who is Reshi today? He’s a man in his late 50s or early 60s (exact age isn’t public), a Srinagar resident with a legal career he now says is his focus. He’s not a flashy politician or a loud activist anymore. Instead, he’s someone who’s decided to rewrite his story, leaving behind a past that once defined him. To understand why, we need to look at where he came from and what Kashmir’s been through.

Kashmir’s Separatist Roots: The World Reshi Grew Up In

To get Reshi’s story, we’ve got to step back to the Kashmir of the 1980s and ’90s—a place where dreams of freedom clashed with guns and grief. After India’s partition in 1947, J&K joined India under tricky terms, thanks to Maharaja Hari Singh’s accession amid a tribal invasion from Pakistan. Article 370 gave it special status—its own constitution, flag, and autonomy over most internal matters. But that deal didn’t sit well with everyone. By the late ’80s, frustration over rigged elections (like the infamous 1987 vote), unemployment, and a sense of being sidelined by New Delhi boiled over.

That’s when militancy took off. Young Kashmiris, some trained across the border in Pakistan, picked up arms, and groups like the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and later Hizbul Mujahideen led the charge. Syed Ali Geelani, already a political voice through the Jamaat-e-Islami, became a key figure, rejecting India’s rule outright. In 1993, he helped form the APHC, pulling together 26 groups under one separatist umbrella (The Hindu, March 25, 2025). Reshi, likely in his 20s or 30s then, grew up in this storm. Like many, he was drawn to the cause—freedom, identity, and a Kashmir unshackled from India.

Geelani’s vision wasn’t subtle. He wanted Kashmir to join Pakistan, a stance that made him a hero to some and a threat to others. Reshi, as his aide, would’ve been part of the rallies, shutdowns, and heated speeches that defined those years. The 1990s were brutal—thousands died, Kashmiri Pandits fled the Valley amid targeted killings, and the Indian Army cracked down hard. For Reshi, this was the backdrop to his early career, shaping his worldview and his loyalty to Geelani.

The Slow Drift: Reshi’s Break from Separatism

Reshi’s exit didn’t happen in a flash—it was a slow burn. The first big clue came in 2017 when he left the DPM’s chairmanship. Kashmir Despatch (March 24, 2025) says he severed ties with the group back then and hadn’t been linked to the APHC or any separatist outfit since. Why 2017? We don’t have his diary, but the timing’s telling. That year, Kashmir was reeling from the 2016 unrest after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani’s killing—stone-pelting, curfews, and deaths had spiked. Maybe Reshi saw the toll it took, or maybe he felt the separatist path was losing steam. Either way, he stepped back.

For the next few years, he kept a low profile. He didn’t vanish—lawyers in Srinagar don’t just disappear—but he wasn’t waving the Hurriyat flag either. Then came 2019, when India scrapped Article 370, turning J&K into Union Territories and stripping its special status. It was a blow to separatists, who lost a legal peg for their autonomy argument. The region went into lockdown, and groups like the APHC were hit hard—leaders detained, funds choked. Reshi, already on the sidelines, might’ve seen the writing on the wall.

Fast forward to March 2025. On the 24th, he dropped his bombshell statement. The Kashmiriyat says he “publicly announced his complete disassociation” from the DPM and APHC (Geelani faction), slamming their ideology as a failure. He didn’t stop there—he warned he’d sue anyone tying his name to separatism and pledged allegiance to India. It was a full 180-degree turn, and it caught everyone’s attention.

Why Now? Unpacking Reshi’s Reasons

So, what flipped the switch for Reshi in 2025? He gave some answers himself. In his statement, reported by Kashmir Despatch (March 24, 2025), he said the APHC “has failed to address the legitimate aspirations and grievances of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.” That’s a hefty critique from someone who once helped run the show. He’s basically saying the separatist dream didn’t deliver—after decades of struggle, Kashmiris are still stuck with poverty, unrest, and no clear path forward.

Reshi’s not wrong about the ground reality. Post-2019, J&K’s seen changes—tourism’s up (21.1 million visitors in 2023, per Hindustan Times), roads and tunnels are being built, and militancy’s down from its ’90s peak. But it’s not paradise. Unemployment’s high, youth feel lost, and the internet bans of 2019-2020 left scars. Maybe Reshi looked at this and thought, “What’s separatism done for us lately?” He’s not alone—other ex-Hurriyat figures, like Shahid Saleem of JKPM, made similar moves in March 2025, per Daily Excelsior (March 25, 2025).

Then there’s his legal angle. Reshi stressed he’s doubling down on his career as an advocate, warning of “legal action” against anyone dragging him back to separatism (The Week, March 25, 2025). That’s a practical choice—lawyers thrive in stability, not chaos. With the Indian government cracking down on separatist funding under laws like the UAPA (two Hurriyat-linked groups were banned in March 2025, per India Today), staying tied to that world could’ve risked his livelihood or even his freedom.

And what about India? Calling himself a “bona fide citizen” committed to the Constitution (Kashmir Despatch) isn’t just words—it’s a signal. Post-Article 370, aligning with India might open doors—safety, opportunities, or just peace of mind. Home Minister Amit Shah praised Reshi’s move as a “step toward peace and unity” (The Hindu, March 25, 2025), suggesting official approval. Maybe Reshi saw a chance to reset his life in a Kashmir tilting toward New Delhi.

The Geelani Shadow: A Legacy Crumbles?

Reshi’s break hits harder because of who he was to Syed Ali Geelani. Geelani wasn’t just a leader—he was a symbol. Born in 1929, he joined Jamaat-e-Islami, won elections, and then turned to separatism full-time. His Hurriyat faction pushed a pro-Pakistan line, rejecting talks unless India budged. When he died in 2021 under house arrest, Kashmir mourned, but his dream didn’t die with him—until now, maybe.

Reshi’s exit, as The Kashmiriyat (March 24, 2025) notes, is a “blow to that legacy.” If Geelani’s own aide can walk away, what’s left of the cause? It’s not just Reshi—Shahid Saleem’s JKPM also ditched separatism in March 2025 (Daily Excelsior). The APHC, already fractured (Geelani’s hardline wing vs. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s moderate one), looks weaker than ever. With India’s grip tightening—bans, arrests, and a new generation less hooked on militancy—Geelani’s vision might be fading.

The Bigger Picture: J&K in 2025

Reshi’s move isn’t just his story—it’s part of a shifting J&K. Since Article 370’s end in 2019, India’s doubled down on integration. The region’s split into two Union Territories, elections happened in 2024 (National Conference won, per Hindustan Times), and statehood’s on the table. Amit Shah’s March 25, 2025, tweet (via The Week) called separatism “history in Kashmir,” tying it to Modi’s policies. He’s got a point—militant attacks are down, though not gone (three civilians died in Kathua, March 2025, per NDTV).

But it’s not all smooth. Critics like Omar Abdullah, J&K’s Chief Minister, say the 2019 changes ignored Kashmiris’ voices (Deccan Herald, January 26, 2025). Lockdowns, detentions, and rights concerns linger—Amnesty International flagged these in 2020. Reshi’s pivot might signal cracks in separatism, but it doesn’t mean everyone’s on board with India’s plan.

What People Are Saying

Reactions to Reshi’s move vary. Shah welcomed it, seeing it as progress (ProKerala, March 25, 2025). On X, users like @Sher_i_Kashmir (March 25, 2025) called it a “significant shift,” while @SaqibQashmiri wondered if more would follow. But not everyone’s cheering—some Kashmiris might see it as betrayal, though no big backlash has hit the headlines yet. Reshi’s legal threat might be keeping critics quiet for now.

What’s Next for Reshi and Kashmir?

For Reshi, life’s about law now. He’s made his stand—India over separatism—and he’s betting on a quieter future. For J&K, his choice could nudge others to rethink old loyalties, especially if development keeps rolling. But Kashmir’s story isn’t over. Separatism’s down, not out, and peace hinges on jobs, trust, and healing old wounds—like the Kashmiri Pandit exodus (Hindustan Times, January 20, 2025).

In the end, Reshi’s journey mirrors J&K’s own—messy, conflicted, and searching for a way forward. Whether his move’s a ripple or a wave, only time will tell. For now, it’s a bold step in a land that’s seen too many standstills.

Sources

• Kashmir Despatch (March 24, 2025): “Advocate Mohammad Shafi Reshi Cuts All Ties with APHC (G) and DPM, Reaffirms Allegiance to India” – Details Reshi’s statement, legal focus, and 2017 DPM exit.
• The Kashmiriyat (March 24, 2025): “Late Geelani’s Aide Advocate Shafi Reshi Cuts Ties with Hurriyat” – Confirms Reshi’s past with Geelani and his critique of APHC.
• The Hindu (March 25, 2025): “Separatism Has Become History in Kashmir: Amit Shah” – Covers Shah’s reaction and APHC context.
• The Week (March 25, 2025): “Relic of the Past? Amit Shah Hails Modi as Separatist Groups Sever Ties with Hurriyat” – Notes Reshi’s political secretary role and Shah’s comments.
• Daily Excelsior (March 25, 2025): “Ex-Hurriyat Leader Shahid Saleem Denounces Separatism” – Mentions Reshi alongside other defections.
• Hindustan Times (Various dates): Tourism stats, Article 370 fallout, and Pandit exodus context.
• India Today (March 11, 2025): “Government Bans 2 Kashmir-Based Groups” – UAPA crackdown context.
• ProKerala (March 25, 2025): “Unifying Policies of Modi Govt Have Tossed Separatism Out of J&K: Amit Shah” – Official perspective.