Daily Times

Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front, the pro-independence organisation of Jammu and Kashmir State, headed by moderate Yasin Malik is banned by India on the pretext of being the “supporter of militants” in the valley. The organisation, formed in 1970s, has a complex history. It had been the advocate of using militant ways to achieve its goal in its constitution during its primitive stage,but later it abandoned the use of violent means practically. For this shift in the strategy of the organisation in early 1990s,it faced divisions and several factions came into existence.

To be precise, the organisation shifted to non-violent political means for achieving its objectives in 1994. Amanullah Khan, the founding member of the organisation resisted against the decision of a young Yasin Malik to change the strategy for accomplishment of their goal of “Azaadi” as international law allow the subjects of the land to use any means to resist against the occupational forces. JKLF, being the political party of Jammu and Kashmir, reserves the right to armed struggle but Malik did not alter his mind and worked on a new approach, ultimately leading to severe differences between the two leaders. Resultantly, Malik’s opinion prevailed in his faction and the organisation was split into two strong groups.

Since then, the leaders of the faction led by Yasin Malik have always avoided and openly negated any relation with the “militants”. Post 9/11 situation further strengthened the stance of the organisation and its policymakers stuck to the plan. Following the approach,Malik opted for a democratic mean of getting maximum signatures by the residents of Jammu and Kashmir urging international community, particularly both India and Pakistan for the resolution of Kashmir conflict. The campaign initiated from 2003 onwards comprised of the leaders of Hindu community as well.

Considering history, it must be understood that in present circumstances, shrinking political space for the youth will ultimately compel them to switch to violent means to resist

After Burhan Wani’s martyrdom, Malik reiterated his stance and asked for opening of dialogue between India and Pakistan. He maintained that dialogue is the only way for the resolution of Kashmir conflict and Kashmiris must be the part of this process else it will yield no result. Making his stance more evident, in a letter to USA, written on July 1, 2017, Malik confessed overtly that he was persuaded by western envoys to take the unpopular decision of unilateral ceasefire endangering his life and lives of his colleagues in 1994, but “despite all odds by Indian forces to push me back on the path of violence, I stood firm to my decision”, he stressed.

The decision to ban JKLF is ablunder. The policymakers in Delhi must understand that the youth that follows JKLF has shifted to non-violent means due to a firm stance of its leadership, which has joined hands with other political organisations and formed a coalition in the name of Joint Resistance leadership. For the sake of argument, if the organisation decides to move back to its original position of using aggressive and violent ways for gaining their objective then it would be no less than a nightmare for people of Kashmir.

India has also banned Jammat-e-Islami and has arrested hundreds of its leaders and followers. The valley has seen constant protests and strikes after these bans. In my opinion, protests will escalate in coming days since the situation in the valley has yet not pacified. The youth is under severe repressive measures of Indian occupational forces for long time and now the time has come when the transformation in the insurgency techniques are visible.

Other leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference’s faction, has condemned the bans. JRL has also issued a statement which considers this act as “highly authoritarian, autocratic and pure political vendetta”.

Mehbooba Mufti, the former chief minister and chairperson of People’s Democratic Party (PDP),has also showed concerns over these developments and has tweeted that “ban will turn Kashmir into an open-air prison.”

Considering history, it must be understood that in present circumstances, shrinking political space for the youth will ultimately compel them to switch to violent means to resist.

Kashmir movement is a democratic movement and India must understand that banning political groups further aggravate the situation. The international community will have to play its role otherwise one day the lava of hatred, anger, mistrust and deprivation of right to self-determination will enflame the region. These kinds of measures may help Modi to campaign for political gains but surely won’t help the people of Kashmir.

The writer is an MPhil graduate in International Relations who’scurrently a visiting lecturer at International Islamic University, Islamabad