The hard-line Hurriyat Conference chairman has sought passport to visit his ailing daughter in Saudi Arabia

The BJP said on Sunday that the hard-line Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, should acknowledge he is Indian and “apologise” for his anti-national activities if he wanted to get a passport to visit his ailing daughter in Saudi Arabia.

“Passport cannot be given to Geelani sahib till he apologises for the mistakes he has committed in the past 25 years. Passports are issued to Indian citizens and not the ones who don’t believe in India and its democracy,” BJP spokesman Khalid Jehangir said. “If Geelani sahib wants the passport, he has to fall in line and follow the law of the land.”

Mr. Jehangir said: “If Geelani acknowledges that he is an Indian and won’t indulge in anti-India activities, the Government of India can consider his request for passport. The government cannot give passport to a person who spews venom on the country where he lives and enjoys all the comforts.”