The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday banned the Masarat Alam faction of the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for five years.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on his official X handle, “The ‘Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)’/MLJK-MA is declared as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under UAPA. This organization and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities in J&K supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K. The PM @narendramodi government’s message is loud and clear that anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of our nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law.”
A gazette notification issued on Wednesday by Additional Secretary Praveen Vashista said, “Whereas, the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) (hereinafter referred to as the MLJK-MA), chaired by Masarat Alam Bhat is known for its anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda…And, whereas, the objectives of MLJK-MA are to get freedom of Jammu and Kashmir from India so as to realize the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and establish Islamic rule in Jammu and Kashmir.”
“…And, whereas, the members of the MLJK-MA have been indulging in the secessionist activities in the Jammu and Kashmir…And, whereas, the leaders and members of the MLJK-MA have been involved in raising funds through various sources including Pakistan and its proxy organisations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, sustained stone-pelting on Security Forces in Jammu and Kashmir,” it said.
“…And, whereas, the MLJK-MA and its members by their activities show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country…And, whereas, the MLJK-MA and its leaders and members, particularly its Chairman Masarat Alam Bhat, have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, security and communal harmony of the country and there had been a number of inputs showing linkages of the MLJK-MA with banned terrorist organisations,” it further said.
According to the notification, the MLJK-MA and its members have been involved in supporting terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country, thereby endangering the security and public order of the state, and its activities also show disrespect and disregard to the constitutional authority and sovereignty of the state.
“…The Central government is of the opinion that if there is no immediate curb or control of unlawful activities of the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), it will use this opportunity to; continue with the anti-national activities which are detrimental to the territorial integrity, security and sovereignty of the country, continue advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir form the Union of India while disputing its accession to the Union of India; and continue propagating false narrative and anti-national sentiments among the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to cause disaffection against India and disrupt public order,” it said.
“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of the section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central government hereby declares the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) as an unlawful association… The Central government hereby directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette,” it said. (IE)
