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Jamaat says no to polls, avoids boycott campaign
Kashmir's prominent socio-religious organisation, Jama'at-e-Islami (JeI), has decided not to contest polls directly or indirectly in the meeting of Markazi Majlis-e-Shoora, the highest body of the organisation.
Kashmir's prominent socio-religious organisation, Jama'at-e-Islami (JeI), has decided not to contest polls directly or indirectly in the meeting of Markazi Majlis-e-Shoora, the highest body of the organisation.
"The Jama'at will remain completely aloof from the upcoming parliamentary elections as per its declared policy of staying away from the polls and will not, directly or indirectly, participate in the election process," JeI spokesman Zahid Ali said on Sunday.
The religious body took the decision after a meeting on Saturday. However, it did not call for a poll boycott or threatened to ask people to desist from voting.
According to the resolutions passed in one-day shoora meeting under Ameer-i-Jama'at Mohammad Abdullah Wani, it asked people to keep aside secondary issues and unite on the fundamentals of Islam to convey Islam's message of peace and the system of justice.
"There is need to counter the baseless negative propaganda being carried against Islam," said Ali.
Asking Muslims to put up a joint face, the Jama'at expressed concern over alleged human rights violations in the state.
"We disapprove the proposed government plan that hints at a crackdown on pro-freedom groups and leaders to prevent their activities," it said in a statement.
"Unless and until the issue is not resolved as per the sentiments and aspirations of people, peace in the south Asia will remain a distant dream," said the spokesman.
Jama'at said it vehemently demands that this issue be resolved in the light of United Nations resolutions. "And if there is any unavoidable impediment in the implementation of these resolutions, tripartite talks should be held to find just solution to this dispute which should reflect the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," it said.
The group participated in the 1987 polls under the conglomerate Muslim United Front.
