By News Desk
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the Jammu Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), a prominent Shia Muslim organization, an unlawful association, imposing a five-year ban on it.
The MHA accused JKIM of engaging in activities that undermine the integrity, sovereignty, and security of India.
Founded by Maulana Abbas Ansari and currently led by his son Masroor Abbas Ansari, JKIM has played a significant role in the region’s politics, particularly in the aftermath of the 1987 rigged elections.
The organization, which has a strong Shia Muslim influence, became an important player in advocating for Muslim rights in Kashmir. However, as militancy and separatism grew in the region, JKIM’s involvement in activities that were perceived as supporting separatism and anti-India propaganda drew scrutiny from the Indian government. This ban reflects the continued efforts by the government to suppress groups seen as contributing to instability in Jammu and Kashmir.
The official notification from the MHA, dated March 11, 2025, which was accessed by The Kashmiriyat states that the activities of JKIM and its members are prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the country. The government claims that JKIM has supported terrorist activities, mobilized funds for unlawful purposes, and encouraged secessionist and anti-national activities in the region. The organization is accused of fostering discontent, destabilizing public order, and promoting violence to achieve the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India.
The government further stated that if left unchecked, JKIM’s actions would continue to advocate for the secession of the region and propagate false and anti-national narratives. As a result, the Ministry of Home Affairs has declared JKIM an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, with immediate effect. The ban will remain in place for five years, unless overturned by a higher authority.
This story was originally published in thekashmiriyat.co.uk.
