Jamaat-e-Islami wants to participate in Kashmir polls after ban lift

The banned Jamaat-e-Islami in Kashmir has appealed to the Indian government to lift the ban on them, allowing them to participate in the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jamaat-e-Islami was banned in February 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and upheld for another five years earlier this year.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people including select panel of Jamaat-e-Islami participated in election rally for four independent candidates in Kulgam district of south Kashmir last Sunday.

Until the ban is lifted, Jamaat-e-Islami is supporting four independent candidates to counter the "exploitative politics" of traditional parties like the National Conference and PDP.

Several Jamaat leaders are currently in jail, and the properties of many have been seized by enforcement agencies.

The four independents fighting with Jamaat-e-Islami support are - Sayar Ahmed Reshi from Kulgam, a strong hold of Communist party of India Marxist leader Yusuf Tarigami, winner of several times, Aiyaz Ahmed Mir (former PDP member and 2014 winner) from Zianapora, Nazir Ahmed from Devsar and Talat Majid from Pulwama where Pakistan based terrorist group attacked India security agency before the 2019 Loksabha polls. The voting in these four seats will be held on 19 September.