Gulmarg: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the Centre has not shared any intelligence with his government that could have warranted the ban on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s Awami Action Committee (AAC), and asserted he was not in favour of such decisions.
The Centre had on Tuesday banned the AAC, headed by Kashmir’s influential cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari-led Ittehadul Muslimeen for five years for their alleged anti-national activities, supporting terrorism and fuelling secessionist activities.
“I do not know the basis of the ban. This is not under the purview of the elected government (in J&K) and the intelligence on the basis of which it has taken place has not been shared with us,” Abdullah told reporters here after the culmination of the fifth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games.
However, Abdullah said, “On principle, we have never been in favour of such decisions”.
“Since the time Mirwaiz was released from house arrest, I have not seen any objectionable statements from him, but we do not have any information about the reasons behind the ban. (But), we will see what to do (about it) in the future,” he added.
To a question whether the ban was because of Mirwaiz’s criticism of the recently held fashion show at the resort, Chief Minister Abdullah said, “You cannot say that”.
The fashion show in the ski resort of Gulmarg during the fasting month of Ramzan evoked widespread criticism, with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq saying obscenity in the name of tourism promotion will not be tolerated.
Asked about the BJP’s charge that the hotel where the fashion show took place belongs to one of his relatives, the J&K chief minister said, “Yes, the hotel belongs to one of my relatives, and I am not denying that”.
“There are two hotels in Gulmarg that belong to my relatives — Nedous and Highlands Park. But, I will not say anything more than what I have said in the assembly,” he said.
Asked whether any action will take place, the CM said, “If something has been done against the law, then action will take place.”
Referring to the Khelo India Games, Abdullah lamented that J&K could not find a place in the top three spots in the medal tally.
“I congratulate the Army, HP and Ladakh, but I also regret that the skiing started in this country from Gulmarg, but we are not in the first three positions. We will have to make arrangements for infrastructure and coaches for our athletes.
“I hope that this year, we will upgrade the infrastructure for skiing, so that when the sixth Khelo India Games take place next year, J&K is in the first three spots,” he said.
He also welcomed Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s announcement about the creation of a centre of excellence for winter sports in Gulmarg.
“It is a good thing and we want a few centres of excellence for winter sports so that it will benefit our athletes,” he said.
PDP MLA raises issue of ban on AAC, MI in Assembly
Sunil Sharma welcomes ban on AAC and JKIM, criticizes Mehbooba Mufti’s opposition
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) member Wahid Para on Wednesday raised in the Assembly the issue of ban on two Jammu and Kashmir-based groups, seeking its revocation.
The Centre on Tuesday banned two Jammu and Kashmir-based groups –Awami Action Committee (AAC) and Ittihadul Muslimeen (IM)– for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
As the House assembled for the day, Para raised the issue. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather instructed him to sit down as the Question Hour had begun.
Speaking to reporters outside the House, Para said, “This move chokes political and socio-religious space in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has been attempting this for several years.”
Condemning the ban, he added “Mirwaiz (Umar Farooq) Sahib was the first to initiate talks with Parliament. The treatment he received is regrettable. We oppose and condemn it. We demand the ban be revoked.”
Criticising the BJP, he said, “Through Parliament, we urge the BJP government to reconsider the ban on all organisations and provide them with an opportunity. Mirwaiz’s institution is a symbol of religious significance for all of us. We stand united with him. We want religious freedom.”
However, the leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma welcomed the ban on the two organisations
“Two organisations were undermining India’s unity. MHA’s ban on these organisations is commendable. BJP supports this decision,” he told reporters outside the Assembly.
Sharma emphasised “no individual or organisation should be allowed to work against the integrity and unity of our country.”
Responding to criticism from PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, he said “PDP’s foundation is rooted in separatist sentiments. Whenever radical and anti-India groups are confronted, Mehbooba-ji expresses distress.”
MLA Sheikh Khursheed, brother of jailed MP Engineer Rashid, also criticised the ban, stating, “Banning any individual or political party is undemocratic. We condemn such actions. On one hand, the Centre is engaging with Mirwaiz Sahib, and on the other hand, his party is being banned. This is unfortunate.”
BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi said there should be more strictness on the people advocating the cause of Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We welcome this ban. It is aimed to curb separatist and other elements in the region”, he told reporters.
The notification from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs stated that members of the Awami Action Committee headed by Umar Farooq have been involved in supporting terrorist activities and promoting anti-India propaganda to fuel secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmir needs healing touch, not muscular policy: Mehbooba Mufti on ban of AAC, IM
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the Centre’s ban on Awami Action Committee (AAC) and Ittihadul Muslimeen (IM) could be an arm-twisting tactic and asserted the people of Kashmir now need a healing touch rather than a “muscular policy”.
Noting that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was being provided Z-Plus cover by the Centre, she said had he been an anti-national, he would not have been accorded such security.
The Centre on Tuesday banned the AAC, headed by Kashmir’s influential cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari-led IM for five years for their alleged anti-national activities, supporting terrorism and fuelling secessionist activities.
“Mirwaiz himself is a victim. His father formed this party; he (Mirwaiz’s father) was martyred. Similarly, Masroor Ansari’s IM, these are socio-political organisations. So, I fail to understand that on one hand, the Centre, understanding the sensitivity of Mirwaiz’s security, provided Z-Plus category security to him, but on the other hand, his party is banned. I fail to understand how long will they continue their muscular policy,” the PDP chief told reporters here.
The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir said the move seems to be “an arm-twisting tactic”.
“Either the Centre is blackmailing both of them for something, to do this or that, and if they do not do that, then they take action. I do not know. I do not understand that on the one hand you give Z-Plus security to a person, but on the other hand, you ban his party,” she said.
Mufti said such things should not happen, and the people of Kashmir now need a healing touch rather than a muscular policy.
“You (Centre) have used the muscular policy a lot, and the people now need a healing touch and a softer attitude. When you take such a big action against a religious head, then you hurt the sentiments of the people of Kashmir,” she said.
Mufti said the people had expectations from the elected government that it would safeguard them, “but quite the opposite is happening”.
“Earlier, the BJP banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), it was done under the LG rule and we could not do anything about it, but we raised our voices. Today, when there is a people’s government, more atrocities are happening and the ruling party is silent and not doing anything.
“Such actions are wrong and abnormal, but because of the silence of the ruling party, these seem to be normal,” she added.
Authoritarian move to silence voices: NC MP Ruhullah
National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Wednesday said the Centre’s decision to ban Awami Action Committee (AAC) and Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) is yet another “authoritarian move to silence voices”.
The Srinagar MP said in a post on X that this action by New Delhi only adds to the “sense of alienation and suffocation”.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s AAC and the JKIM led by Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari, were banned by the Centre for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on Tuesday for their alleged anti-national activities, supporting terrorism and fuelling secessionist activities.
“The banning of Awami Action Committee (AAC) & Jammu Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) under UAPA is yet another authoritarian move to silence voices. Choking them through executive diktats only deepens alienation,” Mehdi said in his post.
“Banning organisations or raiding bookshops will not help Delhi in its claims of democracy and normalcy. No ban, no decree, and no intimidation will deter people of Kashmir from speaking for their democratic rights and aspirations,” he said.
