Jamaat-supported candidates’ show of strength in Kulgam

Independent candidates backed by the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI-JK) on Sunday held a major rally in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. It was first such rally by the Jamaat in favour of the four Independent candidates fielded from South Kashmir in the first phase. Jamaat was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2019.

Hundreds of people attended the Kulgam rally—Jamaat’s first political activity after its 35-year-old boycott of elections in 1987. In Kulgam, it is backing Independent candidate Sayar Ahmad Reshi.

During Sunday’s rally, senior Jamaat leaders were present. Former PDP leader Aijaz Mir, who is contesting from Zainapora constituency as an Independent, was also present in Sunday’s rally.

Sayar Ahmed Reshi said the vacuum created by the regional political parties needs to be filled. “Fingers will be raised against us and we will be criticised as well, but this is the reality,” he said.

Shamim Ahmad Thoker, a Jamaat leader, said this was the start of a political revolution for a peaceful Kashmir. He said Kashmir is ready to welcome Kashmiri Pandits back and people will protect them.

Thoker said Jamaat ban was unfortunately not lifted by the government. “You would have seen a sea of people, if the ban would have been lifted,” he said, adding that JEI wants to work for the betterment of people and the ban should be lifted.

Several political parties in Kashmir recently urged the government to lift the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami. As the government didn’t lift the ban, the outfit decided to field Independent candidates in the polls.