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The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a curious twist as the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, previously advocating for election boycotts, has decided to field candidates in the upcoming assembly elections. This move has elicited sharp criticism from former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, who accused the group of hypocrisy by shifting its stance from considering elections "haram" (prohibited) to now deeming them "halal" (permissible).
The controversy erupted when four candidates backed by the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir filed their nominations as independents for the assembly elections. Among them was Talat Majeed, a former member of the group, who stated that he felt a need to move away from past "rigidities" in light of the shifting geopolitical landscape since 2008. This decision, however, runs counter to the group's past history of abstaining from elections since 1987 and its affiliation with the separatist Hurriyat Conference, which promoted election boycotts from 1993 to 2003.
Omar Abdullah, in his remarks to the media, highlighted the inconsistency in Jamaat-e-Islami's stance, pointing out that the group was once vehemently against elections but is now encouraging participation. He expressed his hope that the ban imposed on the group would be lifted, allowing them to participate under their own party and symbol. However, he acknowledged that the decision to keep the ban in place was ultimately made by the central government. Despite this, the Jamaat-e-Islami has managed to find a way to participate, albeit as independent candidates.
The Jamaat-e-Islami's decision to field candidates comes against the backdrop of a ban imposed by the Indian government in February 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This ban, which was extended for another five years in 2023, stems from the government's concerns about the group's activities, which it claims are detrimental to the security, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation. The ban was initially imposed in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack in 2019, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel, and resulted in the arrest of numerous JeI members, including its chief Abdul Hameed Fayaz.
While Jamaat-e-Islami's decision to participate in the elections may be viewed as a sign of shifting political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir, the controversy surrounding their participation and Omar Abdullah's criticism highlight the complex and contentious nature of the political landscape in the region. The coming elections are likely to be closely watched as a gauge of the changing political climate and the impact of the Jamaat-e-Islami's decision to field candidates after years of advocating for boycotts.
Source: ‘Earlier elections haram, now halal’: Omar Abdullah fires salvo at banned Jamaat-e-Islami