Avinash Azad
In a significant political development in Jammu and Kashmir, former senior leaders of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) have announced their commitment to work within the framework of the Constitution of India and participate in the democratic process through a newly announced political platform.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Ahmadullah Parray said that former members of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir’s highest decision-making body, the Central Council or Shoora, held an emergency meeting on June 30, 2024, after obtaining permission from the government.
According to Parray, the Shoora unanimously adopted ten important resolutions during the meeting.
The most significant among these decisions, he said, was the commitment to function strictly within the framework of the Constitution of India and not undertake any activity that compromises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
Parray also announced the formation of a political platform named the Justice and Development Front (JDF), which, according to him, will provide a democratic and political platform for former members and supporters associated with the organisation.
He said the decisions taken during the Shoora meeting were unanimously approved and the document containing the resolutions was signed by all its members. While confirming that ten resolutions were adopted during the meeting, Parray did not disclose details of the remaining decisions.
The announcement marks a significant development involving former leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, which was declared an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in February 2019. The ban was subsequently extended by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
The declaration of commitment to the Constitution of India and the announcement of a political platform indicate an attempt by former leaders of the organisation to move towards participation in mainstream democratic politics. The development could have wider political implications in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly as former members of the organisation seek to engage in the democratic and electoral process through a new political platform. However, the future legal and political status of the banned organisation and its members will continue to be governed by the existing laws and decisions of the competent authorities.
