Politicians in Jammu and Kashmir condemned the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, by the Government of India terming it against the spirit of Indian democracy.
Disapproving the imposition of ban on JeI Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said such a decision would further shrink the space for political rapprochement and reconciliation in Jammu Kashmir.
The Peoples Democratic Party leader told the media: “You cannot imprison an ideology or an idea. There are thousands of Kashmiris in villages and cities associated with the Jamaat. It is s socio-religious organisation.
“Children studying in Jamaat-run schools have been securing positions in exams. What will happen to these children after you close their schools?”
“We had resisted these moves of the BJP when we were in power with them,” she said.
She said that banning the Jamaat could have “dangerous ramifications. By doing this, the BJP is converting Jammu and Kashmir into an open prison.
Expressing disappointment over the ban, National Conference General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar said by banning Jamaat, the government would achieve nothing otherwise than
“The move will not help. It will rather impede the process of reconciliation and rapprochement in our State,” he said
The CPI (M) also termed the ban as an undemocratic step, saying it would not augur well for the society.
“CPI (M) doesn’t agree with the Government of India’s decision to ban Jamaat,” the official statement said.
Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman Sajad Gani Lone also opposed banning Jamaat and termed it against the ethos, ideals and essence of a vibrant democracy, and advocated for an early revocation of this unfair ban, Rising Kashmir reported.
Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) President, Ghulam Hassan Mir asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to rethink its decision to ban Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu Kashmir.
Days after the centre banned the Jamaat-e-Islami J&K (JeI), houses of dozens of workers and leaders of the group have been sealed by authorities at several locations across the Kashmir valley. Magistrates issued orders of sealing all institutions and properties linked to the JeI. The home ministry, on Thursday, had declared the JeI an unlawful organisation for five years, and over 200 of its workers were arrested in last four days.
