Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

The Central Government on 28th February, banned the ‘Jamat-e-Islami’, which is a religious-political and separatist’s group, for a period of 5 years, in the Valley. The government stated that this J&K based ‘outfit’ has the potential to disrupt the unity and integrity of the country.

It is ‘banned’ under  ‘unlawful association’ under Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Kashmir’s grand old socio-religious organisation is considered to be the main force behind the 1987 Muslim United Front (MUF), the Jamaat has been contesting polls between 1965 and 1987. Syed Ali Geelani has been its key member who was elected to the state assembly thrice.

Indira Gandhi banned Jamaat in 1975 emergency, and later with the rise of militancy in the Valley, it was banned again. It is the third time since its inception in 1942 that the party was termed ‘unlawful

Also, it was widely believed to be the ideological parent the pro-Pakistan militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen, the Jamaat distanced itself from them in 1997.

The Home Ministry in its notice, mentioned that Jamat-e-Islami, J&K has been indulging in activities, which are “prejudicial to internal security and public order”.

The notice by Home Ministry also mentions that “Jamat-e-Islami is in close touch with militant outfits and is supporting extremism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere”.

In its notification the Home Ministry has sufficed to the conclusion that if the unlawful activities of Jamaat-e-Islami are not curbed and controlled immediately, it is likely to:

1. Escalate its subversive activities including attempt to carve out an Islamic State out of the territory of Union of India by destabilising the Government established by law.

2. Continue advocating the secession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India while disputing the accession of the State with the Union.

3. Propagate anti-national and separatist sentiments prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country.

4. Escalate secessionist movements, support militancy and incite violence in the country.

With the banning of Jammat-e-Islami, the number of organisations banned under UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention act) now stands at 42.

A report says, this decision came almost a fortnight after the more than 250 of its activists including the entire leadership was rounded up.

NIA conducted several raids in the establishments of its leaders, including its Chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. In the raid NIA discovered several high end communication accessories and gadgets. A 40-feet tall antenna was also recovered from his residence, along with many other controversial ‘entities’.

Also read : High-tech gadgets recovered in the raids.

In the last few days, the Central government, in a massive crackdown against the organisation conducted raids and detained many of its leaders and workers. As of now, it is estimated that almost 300 of its leaders and workers are arrested.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *