Will follow democratic path even if hurdles created: J&K’s banned Jamaat

Srinagar, August 26

The banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI-JK) is all set to “unanimously” contest the Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir next month after more than 30 years, and will “follow the democratic path, even if hurdles are created,” Jamaat senior member Ghulam Qadir Lone has told The Tribune.

Charting our future

We are setting a direction for our future. There are some difficulties, but we will move forward because we value this democratic process. — Ghulam Qadir Lone, JEI-JK Leader

In an interview with The Tribune, Lone, however, admitted that because the ban on the Jamaat remains in place, all candidates will contest as Independents.

A senior member of the Jamaat’s “organisational affairs” panel, Lone was speaking ahead of the Tuesday, the last date of filing of nomination in the first phase of elections. He said at least four candidates were expected to file nominations on Tuesday.

“We want to be part of Kashmir’s democratic process. That’s why we are contesting after more than 30 years. We are setting a direction for our future. There are some difficulties, but we will move forward because we value this democratic process,” Lone added.

A meeting of former JeI members in Srinagar last week had given the green light to contest polls from over 10 seats in the Kashmir valley.

According to Lone, contesting polls was a “unanimous decision” and that they had also received support of the Majlis Shura — the highest decision-making body of the banned Jamaat.

Founded in 1943, the JEI is the only cadre-based party in Jammu & Kashmir, besides the National Conference.

The Jamaat’s participation in the polls is bound to impact the electoral outcome of next month’s polls, especially the prospects of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which has received tacit Jamaat support over the last two decades.

Lone said he and senior leaders of the Jamaat were acutely aware that the situation had changed significantly in Kashmir and that it was important to participate in the democratic process so as to demonstrate to the rank and file the direction the organisation should take. “It is not important whether people agree with us or not. They can have differences. Sometimes, they may be right and sometimes wrong. But we are showing our members a way. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose, or whether people support it or not. But we will remain with democratic process.”

In the recent Lok Sabha election, to the surprise of everyone, Jamaat-e-Islami’s leaders had come forward to cast their vote for the first time since 1987. Back then, the outfit had contested the elections under the banner of the Muslim United Front (MUF), a conglomerate of political parties, social groups and individuals. After allegations of rigging, the cadre-based outfit had decided to stay away from elections.

Jamaat members had earlier told The Tribune that it had been in talks with the Centre for lifting the ban on the organisation that it had been in place since 2019. But since that hadn’t happened, the Jamaat would participate as Independents, not as party members.

Lone admitted that some Jamaat members were still unsure if the organisation should contest or not. “They fear how the state will react. They fear they may be jailed or their children may not get a passport, jobs. But still, we will continue on this path,” he said.

He also added that if their candidates win, the outfit “will forward our case through them that we have not done anything wrong.”

“Since 1998, we have been saying we have no connection with militancy,” Lone added.