Government Extends Ban on Jamaat-e-Islami J&K for Another 5 Years

On Tuesday, the Narendra Modi administration announced a five-year extension of the ban on the separatist group Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir, as conveyed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Amit Shah on X

“Pursuing PM @narendramodi Ji’s policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and separatism the government has extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu Kashmir for five years. The organisation is found continuing its activities against the security, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation. The outfit was first declared an ‘Unlawful Association’ on 28 February 2019,” Shah posted on X.

“Anyone threatening the security of the nation will face ruthless measures,” he added.

“Anyone endangering the security of the country will face brutal measures.” The group was given a five-year ban by the government in 2019 for allegedly engaging in activities “prejudicial to internal security and public order” and for potentially “disrupting the unity and integrity” of the nation.

The government’s move follows days after raids by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a terror funding case were conducted on the Jamaat-e-Islami chapter in Kashmir. More than ₹20 lakh and incriminating documents and digital devices related to the activities of Jamaat and its affiliated Trusts were seized during the raids conducted in Srinagar, Jammu, Budgam, Kulgam, and Anantnag.

“Though the group was outlawed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in February 2019, the investigations in the case, filed on February 5, 2021, have so far shown that JeI and its members have continued to support terrorist and secessionist activities in J&K,” an NIA spokesperson stated.