Revisit policy of banning social, political groups in J&K: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent Kashmiri cleric, has called on the Indian government to reconsider its policy of banning social and political organizations in Jammu and Kashmir. He argued that excluding genuine voices hinders the path to sustainable peace and urged for a fair legal process regarding the banned Jamaat-e-Islami group.
Why it matters
The statement highlights ongoing tensions regarding civil liberties and political inclusion in the sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) urged the Centre to revisit its policy of “bans on social and political organisations in J&K”.
Commenting on the statement of banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) amir (ex-chief) Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, the Mirwaiz said, “The public statement by JeI chief is concerning. It would be in the interest of peace and stability that New Delhi listens to people’s pleas and revisit its policy of bans on social and political organisations in J&K, bringing an end to the harassment and intimidation that accompanies such restrictions.”
Mr. Bhat, a few days ago in a video message, distanced the JeI from a political faction of the banned organisation and said it will put up a legal battle to remove the ban on the socio-religious group, which was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2019.
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