Two factions of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) on Monday (September 7) sparred over the “shift in ideological stand” and alleged “takeover of property” in Kashmir by its offshoot Justice Development Front (JDF), which participated in Assembly elections in 2024.  

Leaders of the breakaway faction of the JeI, including Ghulam Qadir Wani and Ahmadullah Parray Malik, addressed the press in Srinagar and alleged there were attempts “to sow the seeds of suspicion among their supporters by using the labels like traitors and sellouts”. 

Alleging that the members of the banned JeI, headed by ex-chief Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, were “making attempts to engage the Centre”, Mr. Parray said, “We welcome these efforts. This is the right path. We appeal to people, especially youth, and ask them to abide by the constitution to get the issues resolved”.

He also ruled out “any forcible takeover of Falah-e-Aam Trust property”, a JeI-affiliated trust that used to work solely in the education sector of J&K. “There has been a tenancy agreement signed in 2024 to use a portion of the FeT property for JDF’s political activities,” said Mr. Parray.  

Taking exception to the recent statement of ex-JeI chief Mr. Bhat, the breakaway JeI panel said, “Mr. Bhat has accepted the ban on the organisation but has not pursued the case legally”.

Two days ago, Mr. Bhat, in a video statement made on social media, took potshots at the JDF and distanced the JeI from its political activity.

“We accepted a ban on the JeI seven years ago. The JeI has no links with any political party. Our stand remains that we will not violate any law, launch agitation or carry out any underground movement. JeI is a peaceful ideology and will take legal recourse against the ban,” said Mr. Bhat.

The JeI was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) among many separatist organisations in Kashmir in 2019. However, the JDF, a breakaway faction, decided to contest the assembly elections in 2024. 

“The election manifesto speaks for itself. It mentions the term socialism in the election manifesto. Socialism is a thought that deals with the birth and death of a person and is not concerned about the hereafter. And the same party misleads people that it was working for the upliftment of Islam,” said Mr. Bhat, as he also alleged attempts to “takeover property owned by the banned JeI”.

Mr. Bhat also expressed concern over “repeated summons to its cadre”. “What is the point of summoning people once they prove their innocence? Several members of the JeI cadre remain in jails, besides others. All should get justice. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he added.

Responding to Mr. Bhat’s allegations, the JeI panel members claimed that it had the support of Majlis Shora, the central committee of the group in 2024 to launch a political platform. “After taking permission from the government, the panel held a meeting and decided on 10 points. It included taking part in democratic exercise and work within the constitution. It also underlined that no steps will be taken that questions the integrity of the country,” said the panel, headed by Mr. Wani.