Hurriyat Conference likely to be banned after Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir: Sources

After banning Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, Narendra Modi government is likely to ban Hurriyat Conference - a united political front to raise the so-called cause of Kashmiri separatism. According to sources, the intelligence agencies have submitted a report on Hurriyat Conference to the Home Ministry. Earlier, the government has banned Jammu and Kashmir based Jamaat-e-Islami as an "unlawful association" under Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Last month, investigation agencies had raided several leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and arrested them for their involvement in unlawful activities. The arrested leaders of the controversial socio-religious organisation included its Chief Dr Abdul Hamid Fayaz, Advocate Zahid Ali (spokesperson), Ghulam Qadir Lone (former secretary general), Abdur Rouf (Head, Anantnag unit) and Mudasir Ahmad (Head Tehsil Pahalgam).

The security agencies had said that "Jamaat-e-Islami is the reason behind pro-Pakistani and anti-national activities in the valley". The controversial organisation, however, rejected the claims and said that the arrests were part of a conspiracy to further uncertainty in the valley.

"JeI is supporting claims for secession of a part of the Indian territory from the Union and supporting terrorist and separatist groups fighting for this purpose by indulging in activities and articulations intended to disrupt the territorial integrity of India," the Union Home Ministry said in a notification.

The government reasoned that if the activities of Jamaat-e-Islami are not curbed, it will "escalate its subversive activities including attempt to carve out an Islamic State out of the territory of Union of India by destabilising the Government established by law."

The government said that it was highly significant to control the controversial organisation else it will propagate anti-national and separatist sentiments prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country and escalate secessionist movements, support militancy and incite violence in the country.