Several J&K leaders seek withdrawal of ban on Mirwaiz, Ansari’s parties

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir urge Centre to reconsider banning socio-political groups, while BJP supports the move.

Several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday (March 12, 2025) called upon the Centre to reconsider banning Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s Awami Action Committee (AAC) and Masroor Ansari’s J&K Ittehadul Muslimeen (JKIM). However, the BJP has welcomed the move.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised the issue in the J&K Assembly. PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para interrupted the proceedings and drew the Speaker’s attention to the Centre’s move to ban the two socio-political organisations founded in the 1960s. “Banning amounts to stifling political dissent. Dialogue and peaceful engagement is an important means to address political issues in J&K,” Mr. Para said.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti accused the Centre of “apparently trying to blackmail these groups into accepting something”. She said the move to ban these socio-political groups was “unfortunate.”

“The Mirwaiz is himself a victim. His father, who founded the party, was martyred. On one hand, the Government of India provided Z-security to the Mirwaiz and understands the sensitivity, on the other his party is banned. How long will this muscular policy be pursued in Kashmir?” Ms. Mufti said.

She said the people of J&K considered such moves “abnormal during the Lieutenant Governor’s rule”. “It’s sad that despite an elected government, such moves continue. There is a need to adopt a healing policy. Such moves further pains the hearts of people,” she said.

National Conference (NC) legislators also urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to reconsider the ban. “The ban orders are harsh. We appeal to the Government of India to take a relook,” NC legislator Tanvir Sadiq said.

Congress legislator Irfan Hafeez Lone termed the ban as “a bid to divert attention of people of the country”. “It seems a bid to divert attention from questioning the Centre about peace they claim is returning to the J&K after abrogation of provisions of Article 370,” Mr. Lone said.