Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, the militant-turned-follower of Gandhian philosophy, is now looking at CDs and collages of photographs clicked in every village in Kashmir, to “educate people in Delhi about the situation in Kashmir”. A three-day photo and video exhibition of works by the moderate Kashmiri separatist leader opened at the Indian Social Institute in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Inaugurated by Nirmala Despande, a Gandhian, the exhibit showcased photographs and a film shot during the 114-day Safri-e-Azadi (journey for freedom). Yasin travelled in a especially designed bus from one village to another, getting feedback from people on the peace process and the inclusion of Kashmiris in the dialogue process. His journey was cut short by the government in Jammu. “Today, I am here neither to simply display these photographs nor to portray myself as a big leader, but to highlight what the Kashmiris want,” Yasin told the audience once the Safri-e-Azadi film was over. “They want a say in the dialogue process,” he said.

The separatist leader said his journey and the people’s participation was an endorsement of his stand for the institutionalising the dialogue process. “Many Kashmiris, men and women, from all communities, joined me in this journey,” he said. Rival separatist leader Sajad Ghani Lone of the People’s Conference (PC) also attended the opening. “I don’t subscribe to Yasin’s views. I came to see the photographs, as he had invited me,” said Lone. “When the Indian state does not believe in Gandhian philosophy, why should I?” he said.