The Indian government has formed a tribunal to review the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir under UAPA. This tribunal includes a judge from the Delhi High Court and will assess whether the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami is justified. The decision to create this tribunal before the elections has sparked questions. Jamaat-e-Islami was initially banned for five years in 2019, with the ban extended for another five years in February. Additionally, several other organizations, including Liberation Front, Muslim League, Muslim Conference, and Democratic Freedom Party, have also been banned.
The tribunal’s establishment by the central government is notable, particularly given the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Home Minister recently extended Jamaat-e-Islami’s ban for another five years, highlighting the government’s stance. The party was first banned in 2019, leading to the detention of its top leaders and the seizure of its assets. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted raids on Jamaat-e-Islami activists’ homes and offices, alleging connections to militancy. The government argues that Jamaat-e-Islami supports separatism and has ties to militant groups.
The tribunal’s formation follows a notification in the Gazette of India on February 27, citing the Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act, 1967. It includes Justice Naveen Chawla, a former Delhi High Court judge, tasked with assessing the validity of the ban. Talks between Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and the Union Ministry of Interior have not yielded a consensus, with the party asserting its political and social nature.
While some suggest reintegrating Jamaat-e-Islami into politics could help resolve Kashmir’s issues, others advocate for maintaining or strengthening the ban. Mainstream political parties in Kashmir also oppose Jamaat-e-Islami’s resurgence, citing potential negative consequences. Notably, several organizations were banned in Jammu and Kashmir before and after August 5, 2019, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Liberation Front, Tehreek Hurriyat, Democratic Freedom Party, Muslim League (Musrat Alam Group), and Muslim Conference. Many of their leaders, including Muhammad Yasin Malik, Musarat Alam Butt, and Shabbir Ahmad Shah, are currently incarcerated.
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