The banned Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday organised a massive rally in Bugam area of Kulgam district in South Kashmir. It was the first election rally held by Jamaat since 1987. The party had been calling for a poll boycott and staying away from polls since the eruption of militancy.
Thousands of people attended the Jamaat’s first ever in Bugam area of Kulgam today. Some Jamaat members are contesting as an independent candidate in the first Assembly polls since Article 370 abrogation.
It is the change of the heart of the socio-religious organisation that had been staying away from the polls in the past three decades.
“We are here to say that the vacuum created by the regional political parties needs to be filled. The sea of people is our strength. Fingers will be raised against us and we will be criticised as well, but this is the reality,” said JeI candidate Sayar Ahmed Reshi.
Another candidate Aijaz Mir said if elected, he will serve the people of Kashmir without any compromise.
“We will not promote corruption. We will work in a transparent manner. We will talk about Kashmir and Kashmiris. We will represent the aspirations of people in the Assembly,” Mir said.
Bugam area of Kulgam was known for boycotting polls but today’s massive attendance of people in the JeI rally has raised eyebrows from Kashmir to Delhi.
The candidates fielded by JeI are fighting polls as independents.
It may be recalled it was in 1987 when JeI last contested elections under the banner of Muslim United Front (MUF). The polls, paved for eruption of militancy in Kashmir after reports of rigging came to fore even as the National Conference claimed victory.
In February 2019, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banned Jamaat-e-Islami under UAPA for five years. The ban was extended for five more years in February this year.
Former member of banned Jamaat-e-Islami Sayar Ahmad who is contesting polls as an Independent candidate pledged to support any party that will restore the dignity and honour of the people.
“We are not against anybody, nor do we oppose. We will support everyone and for that we have kept our doors open”, Sayar said.
He said the detainees who have completed 50 percent of imprisonment should be bailed out or released from the jails.