Earlier this week, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned two political and religious outfits, Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), headed by Masroor Abbas Ansari, and Awami Action Committee (AAC), headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, under an anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967 for the next five years.
In two separate notifications, the MHA accused the outfits of being involved in anti-national activities that are prejudicial to the integrity, security, and sovereignty of the country
“The members of ‘Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen’ (JKIM)’ and ‘Awami Action Committee (AAC)’ are involved in promoting and aiding the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India by indulging in anti-national and subversive activities, such as sowing seeds of discontent among the people; inciting people to destabilise law and order; supporting terrorism and promoting hatred against the established Government,” read the MHA Press release.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, said, “Jammu & Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen’ and ‘Awami Action Committee’ have been declared unlawful associations under UAPA.”
He added that the organizations were found “inciting” people to cause law and order situations, posing a “threat to the unity and integrity of Bharat”. “Anyone found involved in activities against the nation’s peace, order, and sovereignty is bound to face the crushing blow of the Modi govt.”
Both organizations are constituents of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chaired by Mirwaiz Umar.
Mirwaiz Umar, who is also a head cleric at the Srinagar City’s Jamia Masjid, strongly condemned the ban, declaring it an “unlawful association.”
“Formed by shaheed e Millat at the peak of holy relic (moi muqadas) agitation in 1964, it has unwaveringly stood by the people of J&K advocating their aspirations and rights through completely non violent and democratic methods and calling for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict through dialogue and deliberation, for which it’s members suffered jails and incarceration and even martyrdom,” he said on X. “This move seems part of the continuation of the policy of intimidation and disempowerment that is being followed viz a viz J&K since August 2019. The voice of truth may be suppressed through force but will not be silenced.”
In 1964, AAC was founded by Mirwaiz Moulana Farooq as a new political party to protest the disappearance of a holy relic from Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine. Nearly thirteen years later, in 1977, the AAC, under Mirwaiz Farooq’s leadership, aligned with then Prime Minister Morarji Desai’s Janata Party to contest elections in Jammu and Kashmir before Mirwaiz Farooq was assassinated in the 1990s.
The MHA notification regarding the ban cited several cases and chargesheets filed by the J-K police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against the members of the AAC for their alleged involvement in unlawful activities.
Masroor Ansari, a prominent Shia leader, also condemned the ban and told Maktoob, “The ban is unjustified, unfair, undemocratic, and unconstitutional. There is no justice or regard for the law in these allegations. We have been falsely accused of terrorism, anti-social activities, and inciting people. We’ve done nothing of the sort.”
He added that the outfit’s activities are peaceful and always conducted following the law. “This is a conflict zone, and before doing anything, we seek permission from the administration and police for every action—and we’ve always done so. We’ve never done anything wrong.”
The JKIM was founded by prominent political and religious leader Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari in the 1960s, who led it till his demise in 2022. “Our organization isn’t a new one, nor does it have militant roots. Our goal has always been peaceful resolution. We’ve worked in education, social, and religious spheres, and there’s nothing in our work that could justify a ban,” said Masroor.
Masroor added the outfit was vocal “about the alcohol ban, recent hurtful comments on martyrs made by the BJP leader, and the obscene fashion show in Gulmarg. “Maybe they don’t want anyone to speak up, but that won’t happen,” he said. “They want to cut our tongues, want us silenced, but we will not be quiet. We will speak our truth.”
Noor Baba, a Srinagar-based political analyst, told Maktoob that the ban marks a reversal of earlier claims of improving freedoms in Kashmir. “Banning even moderate voices contradicts the principles of a free society and the spirit of democracy. Such actions will not help integrate moderate forces into mainstream politics.”
He said he sees no logic in this decision except the Government of India’s apparent “lack of confidence” in its claims of post-2019 normalization. “If Kashmir is truly returning to normalcy, why undermine rather than encourage moderate participation? This reflects deep uncertainty about the actual situation.”
The parties were banned a day after outrage sparked over a controversial fashion show in Gulmarg by the Indian designer label Shivan and Narresh that was deemed insulting to Kashmir’s culture and tradition. The event was called obscene and offensive, especially for it being held in the month of Ramadan by many Kashmiris. Both the recently banned parties took an active part in the outrage and condemned the event.
Mirwaiz Umar called the event “outrageous” on X, “In the holy month of Ramzan an obscene fashion show is organized in Gulmarg, pictures & videos from which have gone viral sparking shock and anger among people. How could it be tolerated in the valley known for its sufi, saint culture and the deeply religious outlook of its people?”
He added, “Those involved should be immediately held accountable. Such obscenity in the name of tourism promotion will not be tolerated in #Kashmir.!”
Masroor told Maktoob, “What happened in Gulmarg is a deliberate attempt to erase our culture, disconnect our youth from their roots, and impose a cultural invasion. This was their clear objective.”
In August 2019, New Delhi abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, which was followed by months of clampdowns, detentions, and crackdowns. Since the abrogation, over six political and social groups have been banned by the authorities, accusing them of being involved in “anti-national” activities.
The banned parties include Jamaat-e-Islami, a coalition member of the APHC, which was banned in 2019, and the ban was extended in 2024. In 2023, the Centre banned the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (led by Masarat Alam) under the UAPA. The same year, the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH), founded by the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was banned.
“After 2019, the political climate became quieter and more restricted, with limited political activities,” said the JKIM head. “We were not able to do anything politically.”
Last month, in multiple raids across the valley, police confiscated over 650 books linked to a prominent Islamic organization in the region. The move invoked the debate over increased censorship in Kashmir. However, the books that were seized remain freely available online.
Baba said, “Even banning literature is futile today. Most of what is prohibited remains accessible online, and few in Kashmir were reading it to begin with. In reality, such bans achieve little.”
The prominent regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the ban, terming it a move to “silence voice” in Kashmir.
Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief and former J-K Chief Minister, said, “MHA’s banning of Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee ( AAC ) headed by Mirwaiz Ummer Farooq and Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) headed by Mohammad Abbas Ansari is another blow to Kashmir’s social and political landscape. Suppressing dissent will only deepen tensions rather than resolve them. The J&K government must intervene to stop such actions.”
She added, “Democracy is about more than elections – it’s about protecting citizens’ fundamental rights. While silencing Kashmir’s voices may serve BJP’s political agenda, it undermines the very Constitution that safeguards these rights. The central government must reassess its approach and move away from heavy-handed tactics.”
Senior NC leader, Ali Mohammad Sagar, posted on X and said the ban was disappointing. “It is very disappointing to know that AAC (Awami Action Committee) and JKIM (Jammu Kashmir Ittahadul Muslimeen) have been brought under the umbrella of UAPA by MHA. The Mirwaiz family has been torch bearer of peace, communal harmony and helped J&K to keep up with its secular credentials. Such measures do not bring any good to the situation in J&K, GOI must follow the path of reconciliation rather than alienation.”
He added that Mirwaiz Umer has always been a keen facilitator for peace. “He and others like him must be made stakeholders of peace rather than victims of an Iron fist policy.”
Member of Parliament, Ruhullah Mehdi, said, “The banning of Awami Action Committee (AAC) & Jammu Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) under UAPA is yet another authoritarian move to silence voices. Choking them through executive diktats only deepens alienation.”
He further added, “This method by Delhi only adds to the sense of alienation and suffocation. Banning organisations or raiding bookshops will not help Delhi in its claims of democracy and normalcy. No ban, no decree, and no intimidation will deter people of Kashmir from speaking for their democratic rights and aspirations. “
While the regional political parties condemned the ban, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Altaf Thakur and Darakhshan Andrabi welcomed the move.
In a press conference, Thakur said, “The BJP welcomes this decision as these organizations, which promoted extremism and militancy in Kashmir, have been banned. They were part and parcel of the Hurriyat Conference, which has consistently tried to disturb peace in Kashmir, support militancy, and propagate Pakistan’s agenda.”
Antrabi told ANI, “The ban imposed by the Home Ministry is very good because we do not want that there should be any disturbance in peace. We have been able to breathe peacefully here for the last 2-5 years.”
She added, “We want that there should be a ban on other such groups who want to disturb the peace of Jammu and Kashmir so that the people here live in peace and are happy.”
Meanwhile, JKIM’s Masroor urged the MHA to revoke the ban. “If they don’t, we will pursue legal action. Justice may be delayed in Kashmir, but we will continue to fight.”
