In a significant move, the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, has declared the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir-Masarat Alam faction (MLJK-MA) as an ‘unlawful association’ under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Law (UAPA). The announcement, made by Home Minister Amit Shah, underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of the nation.
Amit Shah emphasized that the organization, along with its members, has been actively involved in anti-national and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The group is accused of supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in the region. The government’s message is unequivocal — those acting against the nation’s interests will face the full force of the law.
At the center of this declaration is Masarat Alam Bhat, the chairperson of the Kashmiri hardline separatist group All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). Currently held in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since 2019, Alam assumed the role in 2021. His arrest was part of a broader investigation by the National Investigation Agency into a terror funding case.
Alam gained prominence in 2010 when he was arrested for his alleged involvement in mass public protests in the Kashmir valley that year. Subsequently, he faced multiple cases under the Public Safety Act, with a staggering 27 FIRs registered against him. Despite his incarceration, Alam has been a divisive figure, evoking strong reactions from various quarters.
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In a controversial move, Alam was released in March 2015, leading to backlash against the ruling People’s Democratic Party, then in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. However, his freedom was short-lived, as the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed government rearrested him the following month on charges of ‘sedition’ and ‘waging war against the state.’ The arrest was prompted by allegations of Alam raising pro-Pakistan slogans at a rally to welcome Syed Ali Shah Geelani in Srinagar.
Masarat Alam played a pivotal role in organizing mass protests in the Kashmir valley in 2010, a period marked by intense clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in the loss of numerous lives. His actions and involvement have consistently kept him in the legal spotlight.
The Centre’s declaration of MLJK-MA as an ‘unlawful association’ further amplifies the ongoing efforts to curb activities that pose a threat to national security. As the government takes stringent measures to address such concerns, the spotlight remains on individuals like Masarat Alam and organizations that may compromise the nation’s unity and integrity.