Lahore (Azadi Times Report): Jamaat-e-Islami, which was banned from participating in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir’s Assembly elections, has decided to support independent candidates. Earlier, the party had met with Ministry of Home Affairs officials, urging the removal of the ban to allow it to contest the elections. However, those negotiations are currently stalled.
According to India Today, Jamaat-e-Islami recently held a meeting in Pulwama, where they decided to support four independent candidates from the southern Kashmir regions of Kulgam, Pulwama, Devsar, and Zainapora. The party also plans to support more candidates in the second and third phases of the elections.
The 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with results announced on October 8.
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Jamaat-e-Islami was banned in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Ministry of Home Affairs for alleged anti-state activities and links to terrorism. Due to this ban, the party cannot officially contest elections. Earlier this year, the ministry extended the ban for another five years.
Jamaat-e-Islami has been accused of backing armed and violent protests, as well as supporting separatism in Kashmir. Following the controversial 1987 Assembly elections, the party aligned itself with pro-Pakistan armed movements. The militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, played a crucial role in shifting the popularity of the guerrilla movement led by the JKLF (Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front) toward a pro-Pakistan narrative.
After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the government cracked down on Jamaat-e-Islami along with other groups, arresting its leaders and seizing assets.
Over the past year, Jamaat-e-Islami has shown a change in its stance. It has appealed for the removal of the ban and announced its intention to operate within the Indian Constitution. The party also dropped its long-standing election boycott and now supports independent candidates despite the ban.
Former Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ghulam Qadir Wani confirmed the party’s participation in the elections, stating, “We have never opposed elections. We support our candidates and hope they will address the people’s issues.”
Historically, Jamaat-e-Islami and other separatist or pro-Pakistan groups have called for large-scale election boycotts in the Kashmir Valley. However, the influence of these boycotts seems to be diminishing. With Jamaat-e-Islami’s open support for elections, voter turnout in both northern and southern Kashmir could be significantly impacted.
Despite the party’s earlier claims of religious ties with Pakistan, which led to the sacrifice of thousands of lives, Jamaat-e-Islami has now reversed its position. By accepting the Indian Constitution and participating in the elections, the party has effectively moved beyond its previous stance, signaling a shift from its past actions.
