Schools, Homes Sealed, Charity Work Stopped, as Govt Enforces Ban on Jamaat

The banning of Jamaat-e-Islamia in Jammu and Kashmir has led to closure of various charitable activities in the state, which has led to grief and resentment among the people.

A local woman from Bijbehara, South Kashmir, wishing anonymity, said, “I am a widow who has three daughters and a son. Jamaat has been taking care of my expenses from the local Bait-ul-Maal for past seven years without letting anyone know about it. This Jamaat ban will make my life difficult. I am asking the government. Who will now take care of me and thousands like me? You were not taking care, that’s why Jamaat was.”

The woman was not the member of the outfit, but was one among the many, who approach Jamaat for financial help, which is provided to them on contingency basis. “Bait-ul-Maal works like Auqaaf. They are maintained by Jamaat in every locality where they have their units. Funds are donated to Bait-ul-Maal by the members of Jamaat and others who wish to contribute,” said another local.

Meanwhile, yesterday, a school, named, Islamia Model School, Bandipora was sealed too, as it was being run by JeI. But later, when the locals protested, the school was reportedly reopened. Locals said that the authorities will keep a check on the curriculum of Jamaat schools, and will take action accordingly.

A local told Newsclick, “Once you close the doors of peaceful activism, you open the door of suicidal response.”

Incidents of sealing of properties, including residences, have been reported from several areas in Kashmir. A police official quoted by PTI, said, “Several properties, including residential houses belonging to various JeI leaders and activists were sealed in many areas of the city and elsewhere in the Valley Friday night.”

As per the sources, the house of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat at Bemina, Mohammad Shafi’s house in Barzulla, Bashir Ahmad Lone’s house in Harwan and Abdus Sattar’s house in Barzulla were sealed. Even the bank accounts of JeI leaders have reportedly been frozen. This has caused panic among the locals in Kashmir who see this move by the Centre as an “assault on the right to religious practice”.

A local requesting anonymity told Newsclick, “The sealing of houses and properties is new. The families are literally being thrown out of their homes at night, without any intimation, for no justified reason. And it is shameful and disgraceful. And naturally, it will cause pain to not only the families, but even to the locals. People are angry and scared here. They are even apprehensive about revealing the details.”

The banning of JeI was informed by a notification issued by Ministry of Home Affairs that accused JeI of being “in close touch with militant outfits.” The ban has been condemned by regional political parties, and the Joint Resistance Leadership.

Yesterday, members and activists of the Joint Resistance Leadership assembled in Maisuma, and raised slogans against the ban. The protestors said that ban on religious organisation JeI is unacceptable. They also raised issues like release of all political prisoners. Ahead of the ban, a major crackdown was carried on the JeI outfit in the valley. Nearly 150 leaders and activists of the outfit were detained in the nocturnal raids across Kashmir.

A former Jamaat chief, wishing anonymity, said, “We have no associations with the militancy. We do religious and welfare work and it is for everyone to see. We don’t work in shadows. It is a politically motivated decision, and baseless allegations have been levelled. There is no evidence against us. We are peace-loving organisation, and we will take the route of law to challenge our ban. Kashmir is an unresolved political issue and it is the root cause of militancy, not us.”

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