Indicating a major shift in its functioning, Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a prominent socio-religious organisation of Jammu & Kashmir, distanced itself from militancy and underground activities and refused to align with separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). The party maintained that it would pursue its activities through democratic and political means but refused to take part in elections not held under “third party supervision”.
The renewed policy of the organisation was spelled out by newly-elected Amir (chief) Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, who became the head of the cadre-based party for the fourth time last month through organisational elections. Known for his reformist agenda, Bhat is popular among moderate Jamaat cadre and has played vital role in de-linking the party from militancy.
“JeI has a peaceful and democratic way of working and we shall carry on with the same in future”, Bhat said dispelling notion that Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was linked with his party.
“(Hizbul Mujahideen chief) Syed Salahuddin has always announced it publicly that the outfit does not represent any particular organization but entire Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. He said JeI Constitution does not approve of underground activities and militancy. However, he refused to comment on ongoing militancy in the embattled state.
Bhat said that Kashmir was a human issue and it can be resolved through UN resolutions, tripartite talks or by giving right to self-determination to people of entire J&K.
He said that rigging in 1987 assembly elections, which JeI participated as a constituent of now-defunct Muslim United Front (MUF), was the reason for staying away from electoral process.
“When India rigged 1987 elections, we lost trust in its electoral system and decided to stay away from it”, he said adding, “Muhammad Yusuf Shah (now Salahuddin of Hizbul Mujahideen) was fighting elections from Amira Kadal constituency and was arrested from the counting hall”.
Interestingly, the 1987 elections were held during Bhat’s first term as Jamaat Chief.
“We can go for elections again but when the elections are held under UN or any third party supervision”, he said.
Bhat said that JeI would work independently and has no plans to re-join Hurriyat Conference. However, he said that Jama’at will continue to support the efforts of unity among political and religious organizations.
JeI chose to be a constituent of hardline faction of Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Geelani when the separatist amalgam split in 2003. However, over the years, it distanced itself from Geelani and sought to remain aloof from both factions of Hurriyat. Bhat said Geelani has no role in decision-making in the organisation as he was not the member of Majlis-e-Shura (Advisory Board). Geelani, a basic member of JeI, floated his own Tahreek-e-Hurriyat in 2003 but continued to retain his membership in his parent organisation.