Mirwaiz Urges Centre to Reconsider Bans on J&K Organisations

Kashmir's chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Tuesday urged the central government to reconsider its policy of banning social and political organisations in Jammu and Kashmir. His appeal came in response to a recent public statement by Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, the former chief of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

Mirwaiz expressed concern over Bhat's remarks, stating that it would serve peace and stability if New Delhi listened to public grievances and ended the harassment and intimidation that accompany such bans. He emphasised that where such measures are challenged in court, due process should be allowed to proceed fairly, without actions that render legal remedies meaningless.

The cleric also called for restraint in dealing with attached properties and institutions, urging that they be treated in accordance with law and judicial process. He argued that a sustainable political process cannot be built by excluding genuine voices or replacing them with convenient alternatives.

"Those who command real social and political presence must be allowed space and engaged through dialogue," Mirwaiz said, adding that respect for the rule of law, fairness, and meaningful political engagement are essential for achieving lasting peace.

Bhat, in a video message days earlier, had distanced JeI from a political faction of the organisation and announced plans to legally challenge the ban imposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2019.