NEW DELHI: Internal discontent grows in the organisation over unilateral decision-making and ideological shifts.
After the banned socio-religious political organisation Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced its return in the political arena of Jammu and Kashmir after almost four decades, discontent has been brewing in the outfit. Sources aware of the matter claim that the banned outfit is living in a state of ‘delusion of grandeur’, and is unilaterally taking all the decisions without consulting its ground members, followers and others.
JI, considered the ideological backbone of Hizbul Mujahideen, notoriously known for its activities in the darkest phase of Jammu & Kashmir when militancy was at its peak, is now changing its ideological spectrum. This change of heart was witnessed when top JI leaders were seen casting their votes during the Lok Sabha elections, and now with the announcement of entering into the political discourse, all eyes are on them at a time when they still remain a banned organisation.
Sources said on the condition of anonymity that JI has been hijacked by the elites and the senior guard who are deliberately ignoring its principles and are not even engaging with the youth, the main support base of the banned outfit. Calling the act of announcing the electoral innings as a mere act of ‘symbolism’, the disgruntled youth cadre of JI claims that this outfit is now being run by a handful of members who are taking the shots while there is a huge trust deficit between the old and the young cadre.
Ghulam Qadir Lone, one of top leader amongst the JI, caught everyone by surprise when he was seen standing in queue to cast his ballot during the Lok Sabha elections and urging people to participate in the elections. His son Kalimullah Lone believes that his father’s idea to participate in the elections after almost four decades would prove to be a major success, not just for the outfit but for India and Jammu Kashmir.
He said, “Earlier, there was no political space and we were living in a police-state. Now, things have changed and we now believe that the only way to bring in peace and prosperity is through democracy.”
It is pertinent to note here that back in 1987, Jamaat was a key outfit in Muslim United Front (MUF), a conglomerate of political parties, social groups and individuals which fought against the National Conference (NC). The election was allegedly rigged and NC was declared the winner, which triggered anger among the MUF supporters. This anger and the feeling of betrayal led to chaos and turbulence at a time when things were going downhill in Kashmir and some of these disgruntled members went on to join militancy in the coming years.
Jamaat has always remained a crucial player in the Kashmir Valley, despite repeatedly facing the wrath of the central and state agencies for terror activities and terror funding. Ever since the Modi government abrogated Article 370, the mood within the valley has been going through a transformation. Central agencies for the past few years had been raiding the houses and properties of Jamaat and other such outfits, and most of their key leaders are still languishing in jails. Despite this, it has a strong presence in South Kashmir and in a few areas of North Kashmir and has a dedicated cadre of over 20,000.