Jammu, July: The Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, which has been outlawed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA for its activities against the security, integrity and sovereignty of India, is likely to contest the forthcoming Assembly elections in J&K.
The head of the banned JeI, Dr Fayaz Hamid, and several other leaders were released recently as the parleys between the JeI panel formed by its Shoora, the highest decision-making body, and Government continues for the JeI’s participation in the elections and resolving other issues of the JeI.
A source said that Hamid and other senior leaders are likely to endorse the panel decision on JeI’s participation in the electoral process. “The JeI may form its own group that will contest elections or it may directly contest it under the JeI banner if the ban is lifted from it,” the source said.
“The JeI may also support any other regional political party excluding National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, Apni Party and Peoples Conference,” the source added.
Hamid in a video after his release has said that the panel formed by the Shoora of the JeI is likely to take a decision regarding the functioning of the JeI under present circumstances. He said that the panel is working to resolve the issues for which Shoora has given it the authority. “We will support the decision that will be taken by the panel,” he said.
Another senior JeI leader and former general secretary Faheem Ramzan said that participation in the electoral process is nothing new for the JeI. “JeI has always contested polls since 1979. At one time JeI was the main opposition in the Assembly,” he said.
Ramzan said that the JeI may amend the constitution so that the ban is lifted.
“I was released recently. There were four people in the jail together- my-self, Dr Sahib, Zahid Sahib and Gazi Sahib. We have unanimously decided to abide by the JeI panel decision. Panel will take the decision regarding JeI and we are with it. If need arises, we will amend the JeI constitution,” he said.
The head of the JeI panel, Ghulam Qadir Wani, earlier in May this year expressed willingness of the banned JeI to participate in the Assembly elections in J&K if the Centre lifts the ban imposed on the organisation.
The panel was formed by the JeI to get the ban of the organization revoked. The panel had decided to hold talks with the Centre to get our ban lifted and resolve several other issues.
The source said that the majority of the panel members and other JeI Shoora members are in favour of contesting polls to get the ban on the organization lifted, however, “a section of the leaders are not in favour of contesting elections”.
JeI has been pro-Pakistan and backed the separatist cause in the Valley. The Government has accused it of being involved in fomenting terrorism and anti-India propaganda to fuel secessionism. If the ban is lifted, this will be the first time after 1987 that Jamaat will be participating in elections.
