Several former members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday filed nomination papers as independent candidates to contest the upcoming assembly elections in the Union Territory. Jailed separatist activist Sarjan Barkati’s daughter Sughra Barkati filed nomination papers on his behalf.
Jamaat has not participated in elections since 1987
The Jamaat cannot contest elections due to a ban imposed by the Union Home Ministry, but during the Lok Sabha elections it had expressed its willingness to take part in the electoral process if the ban was lifted. The Jamaat has not participated in elections since 1987 and is part of the Hurriyat Conference, a platform of separatist organisations that advocated boycott of elections from 1993 to 2003.
Former Jamaat ameer (chief) Talat Majeed filed his nomination papers from Pulwama constituency as an independent. Majeed said that in view of the changes in geopolitics since 2008, he felt that there was a need to give up the earlier stubborn attitude. He said, “Looking at the current geopolitical scenario, I felt that now the time has come for us to participate in the political process. I have been expressing my views openly since 2014 and even today I am pursuing the same agenda. “
We cannot ignore the global situation- Majeed
Majeed said organisations like Jamaat and Hurriyat Conference have a role to play in the current political scenario. “When we talk about Kashmir, we cannot ignore the global situation. As Kashmiris, we should live in the present and look towards a (better) future,” he said.
Another former Jamaat leader Sair Ahmad Reshi is also contesting from Kulgam seat. Reshi has appealed to the voters to vote based on the voice of their conscience. He said, “It is up to Allah to bless or disgrace a person… but I will appeal to the people to vote on the voice of their conscience.”
We will start a historical movement- Reshi
Reshi said, “We will launch a historic movement for reforms.” He admitted that youth have been swayed away from violence by introducing them to sports, but said that the youth need jobs. Sarjan Barkati came into the limelight in 2016 due to the violence that broke out after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and is trying his luck from Shopian district in this election.
On behalf of Sarjan, his daughter Sugra Barkati filed the nomination papers. Sarjan is currently in jail on charges of terrorism. Assembly elections are being held for the first time after the central government repealed Article 370 in 2019 and divided the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state into two union territories. As per the Election Commission’s schedule, voting will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1 and the counting of votes will take place on October 4.