In a first since 1987, former members of banned JI enter Assembly Polls fray in J&K

SRINAGAR, Aug 27: Talking about jobs, peace, social harmony and other day-to-day issues of common people, several former members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday filed nomination papers to contest the Assembly polls in the Union Territory as independent candidates.

This is the first time since 1987 when so many members, wedded to the ideology of now-banned Jammat e Islami, would be fighting Assembly elections as independent candidates.

Sugra Barkati, daughter of jailed separatist worker Sarjan Barkati, also filed nomination papers on behalf of her father.

While Jamaat cannot take part in the elections due to the ban imposed on it by the Union home ministry, it had shown interest in participating in the polls during the Lok Sabha elections if the ban were removed.

 

Talat Majeed, former ameer (chief) of Jamaat, filed his nomination papers from Pulwama constituency as an independent candidate.
Majeed said that after pondering over the changing geo-political scenario since 2008, he felt the need to shun some of the past “rigidities”.

“In view of the prevalent geo-political scenario, I felt that time had come for us to take part in the political process. I have been expressing my views since 2014 very openly and I am taking that agenda forward even today,” he said.

Sayar Ahmad Reshi, another former Jamaat leader, is also contesting the elections from the Kulgam Assembly seat.

Reshi appealed to the people to vote according to their conscience.
“It is up to Allah to bless or disgrace a person… but I will appeal to people to vote as per their conscience,” he said, adding “we will launch a historic movement for reforms”.
Reshi, while admitting that the youth have been weaned away from violence by introducing them to sports, said the youngsters need jobs.
“There is no doubt that the youth have been given bats but it will not fill their stomach. There is unemployment and killings are going on. Elderly people have to run from pillar to post just for a meagre old age pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. We will work for social justice,” he added.

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