Srinagar, September 8: Kashmir’s chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday urged the Centre to reconsider its ban on social and political organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, saying such a move would serve the interests of peace and stability in the region.
Mirwaiz was reacting to a statement by former chief of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, who distanced the outfit from the Justice and Development Front, a political party launched by a breakaway faction of Jamaat ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections.
“It would be in the interest of peace and stability that New Delhi listen to people’s plea and revisit its policy of bans on social and political organisations in J&K, bringing an end to the harassment and intimidation that accompanies such restrictions,” Mirwaiz said.
He also expressed hope that the government would exercise restraint over properties and institutions linked to the banned outfit, arguing that attachment of such assets could undermine any future legal challenge.
“Attached properties and institutions should be treated with restraint and in accordance with law and judicial process,” he said.
Mirwaiz further said that a durable political process in Jammu and Kashmir could not be built by sidelining voices that represent genuine sections of society.
“A sustainable political process cannot be built by excluding genuine voices or replacing them with convenient alternatives,” he said.
