Kashmir: Central government constitutes Tribunal to Examin the legality of ‘ban’ on Jamaat-e-Islami

The Central Government has formed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, appointing a Delhi High Court judge to determine whether there are valid grounds for designating Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir (JeI) as an ‘unlawful association’. This decision was announced through a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday.

In its notification, the MHA referenced the declaration of Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir (JeI) as an unlawful association on February 27, 2024, published in the Gazette of India. Consequently, exercising authority conferred by relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Central Government constituted the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, with Justice Navin Chawla, Judge of the High Court of Delhi, as its member for the purpose of adjudication.

Earlier, on February 27, the MHA had extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami-J-K under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for another five years. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, via his official handle, reiterated the government’s commitment to zero tolerance against terrorism and separatism, emphasizing the continuation of the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami-Jammu Kashmir for five more years.

Highlighting the organization’s activities deemed detrimental to the nation’s security, integrity, and sovereignty, Shah emphasized that any threats to national security would face decisive action. The Centre had initially banned JeI-J-K, categorizing it as an ‘unlawful association’ under the UA(P)A on February 28, 2019. The notification at that time cited JeI’s alleged connections with militant groups, support for extremism and militancy, and involvement in anti-national and subversive activities aimed at causing disaffection in the country.