Geelani undergoes renal surgery, stable

“The doctors at the hospital did a biopsy of the piece of mass on his kidney that was taken at the Apollo Hospital, Delhi, which was found cancerous. The doctors removed the malignant portion on his only kidney, but he will be kept under observation for 48 hours,” said Altaf Shah, Geelani’s son-in-law.

Geelani wanted to be treated in the US. However, even after Indian agencies returned Geelani’s passport to his son Naseem after the intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, they could not get visa on time. While the hospital authorities have not decided on a discharge date, Naseem is hopeful that he will get to take his father to Washington for better treatment.

“We have sent all documents to Washington, and are hopeful of a call. We still want to take him there for a check-up,” he said.

When asked whether the surgery will mean an end or setback to Geelani’s political career, Naseem said: “Politics is my father’s lifeline. We could not separate him from politics even when a pacemaker was implanted on him in 1997 or even when his left kidney was removed in 2003. They are inseparable.”

Meanwhile, Geelani’s family was flooded with messages and phone calls from his party members. “Geelani sahab is absolutely fine although he complained of pain in his lower abdomen. But we are happy he recognised all of us. However, this period is very crucial for him as well as for the family,” said son Naseem. Geelani’s wife Jawahira, two sons Naseem and Nayeem, daughter Aanisa and son-in-law Altaf Ahemad Shah were present at the time of surgery along with a few party members.