tribunals-uphold-ban-on-two-j-k-separatist-factions

Two judicial tribunals, led by a Delhi High Court judge, have approved the government's decision to ban two pro-Pakistan groups based in Jammu and Kashmir, including late Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH).

The confirmation of TeH as a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was given on June 22 by a tribunal headed by Justice Sachin Datta of the Delhi High Court.

 

The group was founded by the late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

 

Another tribunal led by Justice Datta confirmed the ban on the Muslim League Jammu and Kashmir (Masrat Alam faction) or MLJK-MA under the UAPA.

 

According to a notification from the Union Home Ministry, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat was declared an unlawful association by the Indian government on December 31, 2023.

 

The tribunal was later formed to review this declaration on January 16, 2024.

 

The latest notification stated, “The tribunal, exercising its powers under subsection (3) of section 4 of the UAPA, confirmed the declaration on June 22, 2024.”

 

In a separate notification, the Home Ministry said that the MLJK-MA was declared an unlawful organisation on December 27, 2023, and a tribunal, also including Justice Sachin Datta, was set up on January 15, 2024. This tribunal confirmed the ban on June 22, 2024.

 

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the TeH was banned for fomenting terrorism and spreading anti-India propaganda in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

He mentioned that TeH has been declared an 'Unlawful Association' under the UAPA. The group is involved in activities aimed at separating J&K from India and establishing Islamic rule.

 

The outfit has been found spreading anti-India propaganda and engaging in terror activities to fuel secessionism in J&K.

 

"Under PM Narendra Modi's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, any individual or organisation found involved in anti-India activities will be thwarted forthwith," Amit Shah stated in a post on X.

 

According to data on the Ministry of Home Affairs website, at least ten associations from Jammu and Kashmir have been banned under the UAPA Act.