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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially banned two political and religious organizations in Jammu and Kashmir—the Awami Action Committee (AAC), led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), headed by Masroor Abbas Ansari.
Why MHA Imposed the Ban?
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, has been invoked to enforce the ban for five years, as per two separate notifications issued by the MHA. The decision was made due to these groups’ alleged involvement in activities that pose a threat to India’s sovereignty, integrity, and national security.
AAC’s Alleged Anti-India Activities
The Awami Action Committee (AAC) is known for its association with the Hurriyat Conference, a separatist group that lost political relevance after the abrogation of Article 370. The MHA accused AAC of:
Spreading anti-India propaganda
Raising funds for separatist movements
Encouraging election boycotts
Organizing public protests
Several criminal cases, including sedition, unlawful assembly, and inciting violence, have been registered against Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other AAC leaders at various Srinagar police stations, such as Nowhatta, Safakadal, and Kothi Bagh.
Additionally, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against AAC spokesperson Aftab Ahmad Shah and others for their alleged involvement in unlawful activities.
JKIM Accused of Encouraging Violence and Separatism
Similar allegations have been made against the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM). The organization has been accused of:
Promoting public unrest
Encouraging violence in the region
Questioning Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India
Government’s Justification for the Ban
The MHA has emphasized that allowing these organizations to continue their activities would:
Disrupt public order
Support militancy
Encourage separatist ideologies
This move aligns with the government’s broader crackdown on groups suspected of separatism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, especially after the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
The ban on AAC and JKIM reflects the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards separatist movements in Jammu and Kashmir. This step is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen national security and maintain stability in the region.
