Centre declares Masarat Alam's Muslim League Jammu Kashmir faction as unlawful under UAPA

The government of India Wednesday declared Muslim League Jammu Kashmir-Masarat Alam faction (MLJK-MA) as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Law, or UAPA.

The announcement of declaring MLJK-MA as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under UAPA was made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

“This organisation and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K,” Shah said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s message is loud and clear that anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of our nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law,” Shah further said.

The ‘Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)’/MLJK-MA is declared as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under UAPA.

This organization and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities in J&K supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 27, 2023

Who is Masarat Alam?

Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (MLJK) is a separatist organisation led by late Syed Ali Shah Geelani's successor and incumbent Hurriyat Conference chairman Masarat Alam (who is currently in jail). The move to make him chairman of Hurriyat was seen more of symbolic than anything.

He has been under detention for almost 13 years now.

Alam issued calendars of protests in 2010 and was later detained under PSA (Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act) after a long chase.

In 2015, when Mufti Sayeed became Chief Minister of J&K, Alam was briefly released as Sayeed had asked for release of political prisoners.

He was, however, detained again after Pakistani flags were waved in his protests. Alam allegedly orchestrated protests from jail in 2016 after meeting some people.

Alam was among the main organisers of pro-Azadi protests in the Valley in 2010. He was arrested along with several other leaders after those protests and was released in 2015.

Implications of UAPA on MLJK-MA

The Masarat Alam faction of MLJK will now be subject to the stipulations and penalties outlined in the UAPA. These sanctions can encompass a ban on its activities, confiscation of property, and criminal penalties for its members.

The step taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), signifies a part of the Indian government's enduring efforts to uphold national security and tackle separatist movements as well as terrorism in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.

With inputs from agencies