SRINAGAR: The government has established a tribunal, led by a Delhi High Court judge, to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to designate the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (MLJK-MA), led by pro-Pakistan separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat, as a banned organisation.
The Union Home Ministry, invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, declared the Jammu and Kashmir-based group outlawed for five years, citing its involvement in anti-national and secessionist activities.
In response to this move, Union Home Minister Amit Shah underscored the government’s unwavering stance against actions that threaten the nation’s unity, sovereignty, and integrity. The ban was imposed due to the organization’s engagement in anti-national and secessionist activities, support for terrorist actions, and encouragement of efforts to establish Islamic rule in the Union Territory.
Masarat Alam Bhat assumed the chairmanship of the Hurriyat Conference faction following the demise of Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Bhat has been imprisoned since 2010 for alleged involvement in violent protests in the Kashmir valley.
The Ministry highlighted the MLJK-MA’s objectives, including seeking freedom for Jammu and Kashmir from India, merging it with Pakistan, and establishing Islamic rule.
The organisation, accused of engaging in secessionist activities, raising funds from various sources, including Pakistan and its proxy organizations, to support militancy, and promoting stone-pelting on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, was deemed disrespectful towards the constitutional authority and setup of the country.
Masarat Alam Bhat’s release in 2015 became a point of contention in the PDP-BJP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, with the then chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed releasing him immediately after taking office.
Under pressure from its ally BJP, the state government later re-arrested him on charges of sedition and waging war against the state for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans at a rally. Alam was accused of playing a pivotal role in organizing violent protests in Kashmir in 2010.
