Jamaat-e-Islami: A Strategic Re-Shaping Of Political Perspective (imaex.com/Jhelum34)

Just two days ahead of the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the banned religio-political outfit Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) formulated a pre-poll alliance with the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP). The “strategic alliance” forged in a meeting between AIP chief and MP Engineer Rashid with the JeI’s delegation led by Ghulam Qadir Wani. The organisation has also fielded several of its former members as independent candidates in several seats as well.

As Jammu and Kashmir is going to polls after a decade, the most surprising move came from JeI, an organisation that had boycotted elections for decades and has decided to partake in the poll fray. After 37 years of hiatus, what made Jamaat change their decision? Was it dissatisfaction with the traditional parties they extended support earlier? Did they feel mainstream politics was the sole means for their survival? or  Was it about the higher voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir in the recent Lok Sabha election? All these factors including the intense shift in the politics of Kashmir, may have prompted crucial policy change.

Also Read | Will Jamaat’s Entry Topple CPI(M) In Kulgam?

History and Background 

Founded in 1942, JeI Kashmir, based on Maulana Maududi’s radical political and Islamist thought, is more attuned with JeI Pakistan. In the political arena, the outfit supports Pakistan’s claim on Kashmir; however, historically, they have been adaptable to the idea of elections conducted in Kashmir following the Indian Constitution. The organisation maintains a strong framework in J&K and has actively participated in the election process since 1965. In the 1972 polls, it garnered eponymous success by securing five assembly seats, including veteran Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. However, in the subsequent polls it received a setback—in 1977 it won only one seat, and in 1983 it failed to secure any.

The organisation contested for the last time in the 1987 election as part of the Muslim United Front (MUF), an alliance comprising several socio-religious organisations. The allegedly rigged election and militancy outbreak in the region provoked Jamaat, which was then a part of the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference, to boycott polls thereafter. The JeI associated with Hurriyat till a fissure in 2004. The split formed two groups – Geelani faction and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s faction. But, the Jamaat stayed out from both groups and continued with their ideological stand and functioning.

A lot then happened in the political dynamics of Kashmir, but the organisation chose to remain out of the electoral politics and mostly extended support to PDP candidates in the fray. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, several top leaders of the outfit cast their votes. Extending the move, in the forthcoming assembly polls, many former members, including the jailed hardliners, expressed their desire to enter into mainstream politics.

The Ban

On May 23, 2019, the Jamaat, once considered to be the ideological architect of Hizbul Mujahideen, Kashmir’s largest indigenous militant group,  banned by the Central government under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Pulwama terror attack in February 2019 in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has lost lives prompted the Home Ministry to ban the organisation for five years. Prior to this, Jel banned twice—in 1975 and in 1990. Since the ban was imposed, a panel helmed by Ghulam Qadir Wani was formed to run JeI’s organisational matters.

In February 2024, the government extended the ban for another five years as “organisation is found continuing its activities against the security, integrity and sovereignty of the nation,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on X. As per the reports, leaders of the panel held several talks with the Union government to lift the ban but did not reach any positive outcome.

Abrogation of Article 370

Following the abrogation of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, many of the JeI leaders imprisoned and put in jail.

The State Investigation Agency (SIA) in December 2022 attached properties worth Rs. 122.89 crore allegedly belonging to the JeI, including land in Kulgam, Pulwama, Budgam, and Srinagar, and the residence of late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. In June last year, the SIA also seized 125 properties, including land and buildings associated with JeI, as they were traced to be ‘proceed of terrorism’. In February this year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted multiple raids in Kashmir, including the residences of former Jamaat chief Sheikh Ghulam Hassan and another leader, Sayar Ahmad Reshi, who is now a contestant in the elections.

Along with the ban, the situation after the revocation of the special status—especially the clamping down of the leaders through imprisonment and raids—compelled the Jamaat to change their strategy. It was the Jamaat panel’s decision that they should cast their votes in the Lok Sabha election. “Our people were detained, properties were attached, passports were seized, jobs were denied. So in order to contest this, we decided to fight it democratically,” Wani told Frontline. Reportedly, the organisation held secret talks with the Centre, mediated by Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari expressed their plans to contest in Assembly election and a revocation of the ban.

Also Read | Banned Jamaat-e-Islami To Field Independents In Jammu And Kashmir Assembly Polls

Political Strength and Influence 

On September 9, JeI held its first election rally in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. The well-attended, massive rally comprising hundreds of supporters and several leaders of the panel underlines the political strength that the outfit still holds. It maintains a strong presence in South Kashmir’s Kulgam, Pulwama, and Shopian and north Kashmir’s Sopore areas.

The independent candidates contesting with JeI’s support in the polls are Talat Majeed from Pulwama, Sayar Ahmad Reshi from Kulgam, Aijaz Ahmad Mir from Zainapora, and Nazir Ahmad from Devsar; Hafiz Mohammad Sikander Malik from Bandipora; Kaleemullah Lone from Langate; Nazir Ahmad Mir from Rafiabad, Abdul Rehman Shalla from Baramulla; Farooq Ahmad Ganai from Beerwah, and Manzoor Ahmad Kaloo from Sopore.

Engineer Rashid’s alliance with the Jamaat-backed candidates will make him and his party look like a strong and influential contender in the election. How is Jamaat’s presence in the polls going to affect regional parties in the fray? Even if it impacts the vote share of the other parties, will it be formidable enough to wrest seats?

An election result is worth waiting for.