Kashmir: Breakaway Jamaat Leaders Allege Smear Campaign by Rival Faction

Leaders of a breakaway faction of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in Kashmir have publicly accused their rivals of attempting to undermine them through a coordinated smear campaign. The allegations were made during a press conference in Srinagar.

Ghulam Qadir Wani and Ahmadullah Parray Malik, who lead the splinter group, claimed that their opponents are deliberately using charged labels such as 'traitors' and 'sellouts' to create suspicion and confusion among their own supporters.

Addressing reporters, the faction leaders asserted that these tactics are aimed at destabilising their organisational base. They suggested that the rhetoric is part of a broader effort to challenge their position, which they say also involves disputes over the control of properties associated with the organisation.

The remarks highlight a deepening internal rift within the banned outfit, which has been a significant religious and political force in the valley. The public spat brings into the open tensions that have been simmering since the group's split, with both sides now vying for legitimacy and influence.

While the leaders did not provide specific details about the property disputes, their statements indicate a growing battle over assets and ideological direction. The use of terms like 'ideological shift' in their criticism points to fundamental disagreements over the group's future path.