Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir

The Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir is a Cadre-based religio-political organisation in Jammu and Kashmir (J & K), distinct from the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (the Indian branch of the Jamaat). The organisation's stated position on the Kashmir conflict is that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and the issue must be sorted as per UN or through tripartite talks between India and Pakistan and the real representatives of J&K (Pro-Independence).

History

The founders of this organisation include Molana Ghulam Ahmad Ahrar Shopian, Molana Saad-ud-Din Tarabali, Moulana Mufti Mohammad Amin Shopiani, Molana Hakim Gulam Nabi (Chetragam Shopian), Qari Saif-ud-Din and Molana Suliman Sahib however Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Ghulam Rasool Malik (Shahlatoo Shopian), Ghulam Rosool Naik (Ratnipora Shopian) were among the first influenced by the ideology (Both Ghulam Rasool Malik and Ghulam Rasool Naik were killed by Indian security forces during night raids. They formed the nucleus around which grew Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir. Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir was formally founded in 1953,when its separate constitution was framed and Moulana Saad-ud-Din (A.R) was elected as the first Ameer-e-Jama’at.^[1] The JIK website describes the organisation as "an ideological party therefore ideology is its corner stone. And new entrant is allowed in, if he has a firm belief in its ideology, and he is sincerely willing to work for the same with dedication."^[2]

Elections and freedom struggle

JIK was allowed to run candidates in the 1972 State Assembly election by the Indian government and won five seats,^[3] but only one seat in the 1977 election.^[4] During the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was considered by some the leading separatist organisation in Kashmir.^[3] It was targeted by Indian forces during the Jammu and Kashmir uprising in nineties, during which many Jamaat activists were captured or killed. JIK was banned for almost eight years. The Falah-e-Aam Trust was created in 1988 to run JEI schools following a ban on the JIK. Students from the schools were often recruited for arms training in Pakistan and "infiltrated back to carry on their subversive activity" (according to J&K Insights quoted by Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium^[5]). In 1989 Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) was adopted as the group's "militant wing" allegedly under the influence of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence. (JIK was not the original sponsor of the group.) In 1990 a chief commander of HM pronounced HM the "sword arm of the Jammat".^[6] A "deeply committed" Jamaati, Sayeed Salahudeen consolidated control over Hizbul,

Many of the pro-freedom leaders of Jammu and Kashmir are the products of JeI-K or influenced by the JeI ideology. JeI has lost most of its members and sympathizers during 1990's as they were killed by Indian forces for their support and involvement in Kashmir Freedom Movement. JeI believes that Kashmir is not the part of India and is a disputed territory and this dispute must be solved as soon as possible because it is impossible to get peace in South Asia till Kashmir Dispute remains unresolved.

However, the constitution of Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir is based on the principle of "Ikamat-e-Deen" that's to establish and maintain the Islamic constitution (Shariah) on the earth.

References