Srinagar, Aug 24: The family of senior hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani has appealed people to give them a space and relaxation so that they could take care of ailing leader freely and in a better way.

The family has said that Geelani is in advanced age with multiple ailments. He needs round the clock medical as well as personal attention.

“He throughout his life faced hardships, both physically and mentally, for his beliefs and conviction. His recent health condition has stressed people especially his family. Therefore, it is time to give him some amount of relaxation and his family, a space to attend him in a better position at this critical juncture. Health condition of Quaid demands family to be careful, focussed and attentive, more so amid the pandemic,” a statement from family reads.

It reads that: “Quaid is a public and political figure and everyone reserves a right to be concerned about his personal as well as political status. The prime responsibility of his close family is to attend him. We will keep the people updated regarding his health and his representative, Abdullah Gilani, will respond and react to his political issues.”

“Past few months have been very hard for all of us. On one hand we are busy dealing with his health condition and we have been consumed physically as well as mentally. On the other hand continuously dragging the family into his political affairs has taken a heavy toll on our personal as well as domestic life.”

The statement reads that: “It is unfortunate that people with vested interests have launched a vicious campaign to malign the stature of Quaid. Repeated and fabricated letters in his name, posts, comments and imaginary stories is disturbing him and affecting his health very badly. The unnecessary social media campaigns and hounding of family only adds to our already stressful life.”

“We urge all including those in media fraternity or otherwise not to circulate any information about his health, and similarly, any communication of political nature on his behalf without his representative’s authentication. We humbly request and appeal people to pray for speedy recovery and long life of Geelani Sahab.”

The statement has been issued by the sons of Geelani Dr Nayeem Geelani, Dr Naseem Geelani and son-in-law Zahoor ul Haq Geelani.