Srinagar: Jama’at-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, in a statement expressed deep condemnation over the arrest of its legal expert Mir Assad-ullah of Pulwama by police and termed it a ‘well planned ploy to retreat Jama’at from approaching court to contest the baseless allegations leveled by government of India.’
Jama’at according to statement said, “Pulwama police couple of days prior called Jama’at’s senior most Rukn Mir Assad-ullah where he was not allowed to go back to home and since then Mir sahib is languishing in police custody which is an ample and spacious evidence that government is not willing to allow Jama’at to approach court and contest the concocted allegations leveled by government of India while imposing ban.”
“Since Jama’at is banned, police across the state have unleashed arrest spree which clearly depicts how peaceful voice is being strangulated by repressive and forcible measures. So far government forces have rounded up 300 members and associates among few were slapped by the most draconian law Public Safety Act (PSA)’, statement said.
Jama’at, in the statement, once again reiterated that the allegations leveled by government of India will be contested in court with strong and valid argument but caging its legal expert at this juncture seems a well planned conspiracy to retreat Jama’at from opting legal course of action.
Jama’at terms these machinations as ‘cheap, undemocratic and an act of pushing peaceful voice to the wall.’
Jama’at appeals local and international human rights groups, world community, OIC and pro-people voices to come forward and exhort their pressure upon the government of India to stop this lawlessness in Jammu and Kashmir so that this repressive era will come to an end.
Earlier, students of Kashmir University held a protest demonstration against the ban on Jamaat.
According to reports, dozens of students marched from the varsity’s History department to the Humanities block carrying banners and chanting slogans denouncing the ban on Jama’at.
Recently, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti held a protest against the Jamaat Ban in Anantnag and said that ‘interference in religion will not be tolerated’
Recently, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said that his party has always opposed Jamaat-e-Islami in the political space, however GoI’s crackdown on them will serve no purpose.
In a series of tweets, the former Chief Minister also pointed out that the ban will drive their activities underground.
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On the contrary, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has vehemently opposed the ban. Mufti recently asked that why is Government of India is so ‘uncomfortable’with the Jamaat-e-Islami.
“While Hindu groups are given ‘carte blanche to spread misinformation & vitiate the atmosphere. But an organization that has worked tirelessly for Kashmiris is banned,” she said in a tweet.
She also pointed out that ‘ideas cannot be banned or jailed, need a better idea to replace it.’
Jamaat, in their statement, termed the imposition of ban on the party as ‘unconstitutional, undemocratic and unethical’.
