No Room for Separatism: Govt Bans Mirwaiz-Led AAC, Ansari’s JKIM Under UAPA

Srinagar: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday has banned the Awami Action Committee (AAC), led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), headed by Masroor Abbas Ansari, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, for a period of five years.

In two separate notifications, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cited both organization’s involvement in activities that threaten India's sovereignty, integrity, and security.

According to the government, the groups have engaged in propagating anti-India narratives, mobilizing funds for separatist movements, and inciting violence in Jammu and Kashmir.

AAC members have actively supported terrorism, promoted disaffection against the Indian state, and encouraged armed resistance. The group has been linked to multiple criminal cases, including charges of sedition, unlawful assembly, and incitement of violence.

Authorities claim that AAC leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have delivered speeches calling for election boycotts and protests against the Indian government. Cases have been registered against AAC members at various police stations in Srinagar, including Nowhatta, Safakadal, and Kothi Bagh.

Additionally, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against AAC spokesperson Aftab Ahmad Shah for his alleged involvement in anti-national activities.

The government asserts that if left unchecked, AAC will continue to aid terrorism and disrupt public order in Jammu and Kashmir.

Invoking Section 3 of the UAPA, the Home Ministry justified the five-year ban as necessary for national security.

Simultaneously, the MHA has declared JKIM an unlawful association under UAPA, citing its involvement in unlawful activities, support for terrorist organizations, and efforts to destabilize law and order in Jammu and Kashmir.

Founded by the late Molvi Abbas Ansari, a prominent Shia cleric and former chairman (before Hurriyat was undivided) of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC),) JKIM has long been associated with separatist politics.

Abbas Ansari had engaged in talks with Pakistani representatives and advocated for self-determination and an independent political status for Jammu and Kashmir.

After his death in October 2022, his son, Masroor Abbas Ansari, took leadership of JKIM.

The government alleges that under his leadership, the group continued to promote separatist ideology and engage in activities deemed detrimental to India’s national interests.

In July 2023, Masroor Abbas Ansari and several associates were detained by police in a Srinagar hotel.

According to Kashmir Police, preliminary investigations indicated they were attempting to revive the APHC and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), both of which have been under strict government scrutiny for alleged separatist activities.

The government’s decision to ban AAC and JKIM is seen as part of a broader crackdown on organizations accused of fostering separatism and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

A senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “Cracking down on such organizations is crucial to maintaining peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir. This decision aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to curb anti-national activities and dismantle networks that aid terrorism and secessionist movements,”.

Experts believe the move will reinforce counter-terrorism measures in the Union Territory, preventing radical elements from influencing youth and destabilizing law and order.

“The ban sends a strong message to other separatist groups operating in Kashmir. Central government’s strategy is to ensure that extremist organizations no longer have the means to challenge India’s constitutional authority in Jammu and Kashmir,” a security analyst noted.

Under Section 3(1) of the UAPA, the bans on AAC and JKIM will remain in force for five years, subject to modification under Section 4 of the UAPA. The government maintains that these measures are necessary to prevent both organizations from propagating separatist agendas and disrupting public order.