Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat, a towering figure in Kashmir’s complex political landscape and a steadfast advocate for self-determination, died at his home in Sopore, North Kashmir, on the evening of September 17, 2025, after a brief illness. The news, confirmed by family sources, has cast a somber shadow over the region, with many describing his passing as an irreparable loss for both Kashmir and the broader freedom movement.
Bhat, who resided in Botingoo in Baramulla district, was 87 at the time of his death. Friends, colleagues, and political observers alike have been quick to reflect on his decades-long influence, recognizing him as a man whose political insight, boldness, and vision shaped the trajectory of Kashmiri politics for generations. As of Thursday morning, his family had not yet announced details of his funeral arrangements, leaving many in the region waiting to pay their final respects to a man whose life was inseparable from Kashmir’s turbulent modern history.
According to 24 News HD and other local news outlets, Bhat’s commitment to the cause of Kashmiri self-determination was evident from the earliest days of his public life. In 1986, amid a period of mounting political tension and shifting allegiances, he co-founded the Muslim United Front (MUF), a coalition that sought to unify various Muslim political and religious groups under a single banner. The MUF’s formation marked a pivotal moment in Kashmir’s political evolution, as it brought together disparate voices in a bid to challenge the established order and press for greater autonomy and rights for the region’s Muslim majority.
But Bhat’s influence hardly ended there. In 1993, as the conflict in Kashmir intensified and the region’s political landscape grew even more fragmented, he played a leading role in the creation of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). This new coalition of Kashmiri groups, as reported by multiple sources, represented a bold attempt to provide a united front for those advocating for the right to self-determination—a cause that would remain at the heart of Bhat’s political philosophy for the rest of his life. He would go on to serve as chairman of the APHC, guiding the organization through some of its most tumultuous years and helping to articulate its demands on the national and international stage.
In addition to his roles in the MUF and the APHC, Bhat also served as president of the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (MCJK), an organization that was eventually banned by the Indian government. The MCJK, like the other groups with which Bhat was associated, advocated for the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, often clashing with the authorities in New Delhi. The government’s decision to ban the MCJK underscored the fraught nature of politics in the region and the risks faced by those who dared to challenge the status quo.
Throughout his career, Bhat was known for his unwavering commitment to the cause of self-determination. As noted by 24 News HD, he "dedicated his entire life to the struggle for the right to self-determination," earning a reputation for lofty thinking and a willingness to stake out bold positions even when doing so came at great personal risk. His supporters often pointed to his ability to bridge divides and unite people across ideological lines—no small feat in a region where political and religious differences have too often led to violence and mistrust.
The outpouring of grief following Bhat’s death has been both swift and heartfelt. Political allies and adversaries alike have acknowledged the depth of his influence, with many describing him as a "beacon of light for the Kashmiri people." According to family statements reported by Baramullah-based outlets, his "visionary leadership, courageous stance, and political acumen made him a guiding light for the Kashmiri people." Such tributes reflect not only his stature within the region but also the sense of loss felt by those who saw in Bhat a rare combination of principle and pragmatism.
For many, Bhat’s passing is more than the loss of a single leader—it is the end of an era. The organizations he helped to build, from the MUF to the APHC and the MCJK, remain central to the ongoing debates about Kashmir’s future. Yet, as the region enters a new and uncertain phase, there is widespread uncertainty about who, if anyone, can fill the void left by a man whose life was so closely intertwined with the struggle for Kashmiri identity and autonomy.
Political analysts point out that Bhat’s death comes at a particularly fraught moment for Kashmir. In recent years, the region has seen a tightening of government controls, the banning of key political organizations, and a sharp crackdown on dissent. The Indian government’s August 2019 decision to revoke Article 370, which had granted Jammu and Kashmir a measure of autonomy, fundamentally altered the political landscape and left many in the region feeling more isolated than ever. Against this backdrop, Bhat’s voice—always measured, often conciliatory, but never wavering in its core demands—will be sorely missed.
Yet, as those who knew him best are quick to point out, Bhat’s legacy is likely to endure. His writings, speeches, and the institutions he helped to found continue to inspire new generations of Kashmiris grappling with the same questions of identity, justice, and self-determination that animated his own life. His death may mark the end of a chapter, but the story of Kashmir’s struggle—and Bhat’s place within it—is far from over.
As the region prepares to bid farewell to one of its most influential sons, there is a palpable sense of both mourning and resolve. The challenges facing Kashmir remain daunting, but the memory of Abdul Ghani Bhat’s courage, vision, and dedication offers a measure of hope to those who continue to seek a future defined by dignity and self-determination.