Srinagar: The ruling National Conference (NC) as well as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday (March 11) condemned the Union government’s decision to ban the Awami Action Committee (AAC) led by moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under the anti-terror law.
In a notification, the Union home ministry banned the ACC – a socio-politico-religious outfit headquartered in Srinagar which was set up in 1964 at the peak of the agitation over the holy relic (Moi Muqaddas) – for five years under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.
The notification said that the AAC was “indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country”. It also stated that the AAC members were “involved in supporting terrorist activities and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir”.
The home ministry notification said that the leaders and members of the AAC were “involved in mobilising funds for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting secessionist, separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Citing four cases filed by J&K police in which Mirwaiz is an accused and one by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in which Aftab Ahmad Shah, Mirwaiz’s former spokesperson, has been named as an accused, the notification said the Union government was “firmly of the opinion that… it is necessary to declare the AAC as an unlawful association with immediate effect.”
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“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Awami Action Committee (AAC) as an unlawful association,” the notification said.
In a post on X, Mirwaiz, who is also the chief cleric of Kashmir, condemned the government’s action, saying that the AAC “stood by the people of J&K advocating their aspirations and rights through completely non-violent and democratic methods and calling for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict through dialogue and deliberation.”
Linking the decision to the 2019 bifurcation and demotion of J&K into a Union Territory, Mirwaiz said that the AAC members have “suffered jails and incarceration and even martyrdom.” “This move seems part of the continuation of the policy of intimidation and disempowerment that is being followed viz a viz J&K since August 2019. The voice of truth may be suppressed through force but will not be silenced.”
Coming out in support of Mirwaiz, former J&K chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said that the decision was “another blow to Kashmir’s social and political landscape.”
“Suppressing dissent will only deepen tensions rather than resolve them. The J&K government must intervene to stop such actions. Democracy is about more than elections – it’s about protecting citizens’ fundamental rights. While silencing Kashmir’s voices may serve BJP’s [Bharatiya Janata Party’s] political agenda, it undermines the very Constitution that safeguards these rights. The central government must reassess its approach and move away from heavy-handed tactics,” Mufti said on X.
MHA’s banning of Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee ( AAC ) headed by Mirwaiz Ummer Farooq and Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) headed by Mohammad Abbas Ansari is another blow to Kashmir’s social and political landscape. Suppressing dissent will only deepen tensions rather than…
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 11, 2025
Ali Muhammad Sagar, senior leader of NC said that Mirwaiz had become another victim of “iron fist policy” of the BJP-led Union government.
“It is very disappointing to know that AAC (Awami Action Committee) and JKIM (Jammu Kashmir Ittahadul Muslimeen) have been brought under the umbrella of UAPA by MHA. The Mirwaiz family has been torch bearer of peace, communal harmony and helped J&K to keep up with its secular credentials. Such measures do not bring any good to the situation in J&K, GOI must follow the path of reconciliation rather than alienation. Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has always been a keen facilitator for peace, he and others like him must be made stakeholders of peace,” he said in a post on X.
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Meanwhile, in a second notification, the Union home ministry also imposed a five-year ban on Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), headed by Masroor Abbas Ansari. The outfit has been part of the moderate Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The notification said that the JKIM members show “sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country” by “promoting and aiding the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India by involving in anti-national and subversive activities; sowing seeds of dis-affection amongst people; exhorting people to destabilise law and order; encouraging the use of arms to separate Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India and promoting hatred against established government.”
