SRINAGAR: In a notable shift within Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape, over 25 former militants, separatist leaders, and members of the banned Jamiat-e-Islami (JeI) are participating in the ongoing assembly elections.
This development signals a new chapter in the region’s politics, marked by the re-engagement of those once involved in insurgent activities.
Among the prominent candidates are former separatist figures like Zaffar Habib Dar, Syed Saleem Geelani, Javid Hubbi, and Aga Muntazir Mehdi. These individuals, formerly vocal about anti-India sentiments, are now advocating participation in democratic processes.
Dar, contesting under the JK Apni Party banner, expressed his belief in electoral engagement, stating, “We can solve problems only through the electoral process.”
Ex-militants have also entered the fray, including Farooq Ahmad Dar, known as Saifullah Farooq, a former commander of JKLF, who is contesting from Habba Kadal on a Samajwadi Party ticket. Farooq, who trained in Pakistan in the late 1980s, now regrets his decision to take up arms, acknowledging that many were “misguided by Pakistan agents.”
The banned JeI has fielded candidates across 15 constituencies, with prominent figures such as Talat Majid and Hafiz Mohammad running despite the organization’s restrictions.
Sayaar Ahmad, a JeI member, emphasized their absence from elections since 1987 due to rigging allegations, but stressed that they now see elections as a path to resolving Kashmir’s complex issues.
This participation by former separatists and militants marks a significant transformation, raising hopes of increased political dialogue in the troubled region.
