Centre Extends Ban On Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) For 5 More Years

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, for another five years. This was stated by Home Minister Amit Shah.

Shah in a post on X wrote, “Pursuing PM @narendramodi Ji’s policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and separatism the government has extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu Kashmir for five years. The organisation is found continuing its activities against the security, integrity and sovereignty of the nation. The outfit was first declared an ‘Unlawful Association’ on 28 February 2019.”

“Anyone threatening the security of the nation will face ruthless measures,” he added.

The government’s move follows the recent raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the Kashmir chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami in a case related to terror funding. The raids, conducted in Srinagar, Jammu, Budgam, Kulgam, and Anantnag, led to the confiscation of significant documents and digital devices associated with the activities of Jamaat and its affiliated Trusts, along with more than Rs 20 lakh in cash.

“The investigations in the case, registered on February 5, 2021, have so far revealed that JeI and its members have continued to promote terrorist and secessionist activities in J&K even after the outfit was proscribed under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in February 2019,” a spokesperson of the NIA said.

In December 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) confiscated numerous properties valued at Rs 100 crore belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami in four districts of the Kashmir Valley. These assets, situated across a dozen locations in Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, and Kupwara districts, were subjected to restrictions on usage and entry.