The Post-truth Cacophony

Assembly elections are underway in Jammu and Kashmir after 10 long years. In Jammu, the contest is between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Conference-Congress alliance, while the Kashmir Valley is witnessing a diverse array of candidates.

- Shabir Hussain

Outlook profiles various political parties and politicians to understand their vision for the electorate

A Strategic Comeback

If the independent candidates backed by the Jamaat can be kingmakers in case of a close verdict, it may signal the politico-religious outfit’s return to democratic politics in a positive way

Coming Back
1. An outside view of the central office of Jamaat-e-Islami located in Srinagar
2. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, leader Jamaat-e-Islami
3. A Jamaat supporter at a rally
4. Jamaat member Sayar Ahmad Reshi campaigning in the Valley

JAMAAT-E-ISLAMI, the politico-religious outfit in Kashmir accused of harbouring separatists and resorting to violence, was banned in 2019 for five years, soon after the Pulwama terror attack where more than 40 paramilitary men were killed. The ban was extended for another five years in February this year.

In a strongly worded post on the social media platform X, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the extension of the ban was a part of Prime Minister Modi’s policy of “zero tolerance against terrorism and separatism.” There was buzz the ban would be lifted before the J& K elections, but it remained.

Yet many Jamaat leaders are in the fray in the ongoing elections, fighting as independent candidates. The mainstream political leaders have welcomed Jamaat’s participation in the polls, though former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah didn’t hesitate from taking a jibe at the banned party.

“Well, we were told that the elections were haram (forbidden), but now we are told they are halal (permissible),” says Abdullah. “Anyway, better late than never,” he adds.