After a long pause the Hurriyat is in news, and not for a good reason. There have been some indicators about changes in separatist groups including the Hurriyat. Post abrogation of Article 370, there were more obligations that rested upon the shoulders of separatists. But in the last about 10 months nothing has come out. Flawed methods and strategy have once again come to fore, but there seems to be no one to counter those critics who were once silenced by mere pitch than valid arguments. Raids and arrests of some leaders have also exposed the ambiguities that no one was supposed to know. The question whether the proclaimed leaders really understand the aspirations of people, especially the youth, and allowed flexibility to accommodate divergent views has now been pushed into oblivion. While infighting and corruption has eaten the vitals of the unity of purpose, nevertheless, some leaders didn’t even bother for course correction when it was the right time. A unity apparently was forged under duress and not by general will. It is no secret that the leaders at different times shared such acerbic relations that they did not use to bear a joint sitting. At a recent OIC meet, Hurriyat (G) was not even represented, while Mirwaiz is yet to speak on any matter, particularly the future course. It is time to acknowledge some of those failures that have led to the present situation. The most unfortunate thing to happen in the last many years and perhaps decades is to distinguish between positive criticism and unwarranted bashing. The critics as it appears in retrospect have not been completely wrong, at least not when they questioned the lack of unity, general competence and understanding of the leaders about other real life aspirations of people. On many occasions the leadership and the people have been proved as standing opposed to each other’s purpose and unity. There were practically no efforts to incorporate more people and more ideas to make it a vibrant force. Instead a status quo was imposed and the leaders didn’t allow anyone to join and represent the people. For all this time it was taken for granted that only some people represent the aspirations and no one was supposed to challenge it in any way. There has not been a single youth leader to speak in violence-less language, while there have been many to take the path of violence only to sustain the hold of the ‘by-default’ few.