A few days ago, I stumbled upon a short video clip of Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Curiously, I began watching it, as I had done countless times in the past, whether on the internet or in person at the many Ijtima’s, rallies, or gatherings where the Qaid-e-Inqilaab would speak. In this particular clip, he was discussing an article written by a renowned Kashmiri academician, who had long ago shed light on the RSS-BJP’s envisioned “solution” for Kashmir. This academician had meticulously laid out the sinister designs that these entities harbored for Kashmir decades before they became apparent to the general public. Sadly, as is often the case with us Kashmiris, we tend to overlook such prescient warnings and fall victim not only to the deceit of our occupiers but also to their local collaborators and brokers in the region.

The crux of the article was unsettling but clear: the only “solution” to the Kashmir issue, from the RSS-BJP perspective, was to obliterate the Muslim identity of the region and convert the Muslim majority into a Hindu majority by any means necessary, including violence and coercion. Those who subscribe to this ideology have, since 2014, been in positions of power, openly formulating and implementing anti-Muslim and anti-Kashmir policies. This has been especially evident since the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, where several draconian measures have been put into place. The nullification of Kashmir’s special status marked the beginning of a settler-colonial project, where land grabs, property seizures, and a quiet yet systematic erosion of Kashmiri Muslim faith are becoming increasingly visible.

What Syed Ali Shah Geelani and his devoted followers had warned us about for so long is now materializing before our eyes. The RSS-BJP’s plans for Kashmir are no longer covert—they are being executed with alarming speed. It started with the revocation of Article 370, but that was only the first step. Their ultimate goal is to dismantle the Muslim identity of Kashmir, which remains the primary obstacle to their agenda. It is only now, after years of silence, that many Kashmiris are beginning to recognize what Syed Ali Shah Geelani had foreseen so many years ago. The future that was once just a possibility is now becoming an undeniable reality. The plans of RSS-BJP for Kashmir are actually now translating into reality, for thy have now gone all out to settle this issue according to their own whims and ideology.

To achieve this, they have embarked on a methodical campaign to suppress religious organizations. Leaders, members, and associates of these organizations have been framed under fabricated charges and imprisoned, both in Kashmir and across India. One of the most notable examples is the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir. Their properties and offices of this organization were seized, rendering the organization completely defunct. Since the revocation of Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status, the Indian government has pushed forward with a calculated strategy to coerce these religious groups into joining the pro-occupation camp, or at the very least, withdraw their support from the resistance movement.

India sought to strike a deal with various religious and resistance organizations by presenting certain conditions. Accepting these conditions would lead to the release of prisoners and the lifting of bans, if any, on these organizations. A few months ago, several individuals from different religious and resistance groups allegedly signed a bond with the Indian state and were subsequently released from prison. Among them, the core members of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir were released without conditions to engage in discussions and explore the possibility of a compromise with Indian state – our occupier.

However, after thorough deliberations, the core members, including central committee members, refused to compromise on the organization’s fundamental principles. During this time, certain rogue elements—such as Shameem Ahmad, Ashraf Driver, Gh Qadir Wani, Gh Qadir Lone, and Syayar Ahmad Reshi—developed clandestine links with Indian agencies like the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Shameem Ahmad, acting as an intermediary, facilitated meetings between these agencies and client politicians, such as Altaf Bukhari, all without the knowledge of the other core members of Jamaat. After realizing that they cannot get the consent of those who actually matter, these thugs did not even deemed it appropriate to at least inform some prominent central committee members most of whom are in jails.

After the failure to reach a deal, the core members were rearrested and imprisoned once again. Meanwhile, these individuals, whose names were mentioned earlier, were released to exploit the situation. Backed by the Indian agencies, they actually hijacked the organization by filling the leadership void and seizing control. Their immediate task was to mobilize Jamaat’s ground cadre, preparing them for a significant announcement. However, their attempts to convince the Jamaat cadre to accept the Indian offer were met with staunch opposition again and again.

Facing intense criticism, these rogue elements began threatening other members with severe consequences if they continued to oppose them publicly. On the eve of Eid, Wani called a meeting and declared that the time of the Ameer-e-Jamaat had passed and announced himself as the new leader of the panel.

With active backing from Indian intelligence agencies, it was decided that Wani would unveil these developments in a phased manner, starting on polling day in central Kashmir. Wani’s act of casting a vote sent shockwaves across the region, as many had hoped the internal strife would subside with time. However, when a video of Wani making a U-turn, under the influence of Indian agencies, surfaced on social media, the fissures became public. A press statement from some Jamaat members denouncing Wani and his associates soon followed. This led to a direct call from the intelligence headquarters instructing Wani to prepare for a press conference at the house of Gh. Bhat, the former Ameer of Jamaat, in Bemina.

India has long sought to dismantle Jamaat and its organizational structure in Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2019, amid widespread arrests and crackdowns on Jamaat members and associates, the Indian state has systematically tried to break the organization and render it irrelevant among the people. A small group of corrupt members and associates have now exploited this situation, grossly misrepresenting Jamaat’s values and constitution, particularly in a climate where most members remain imprisoned, and dissent is met with brutal force. India has cultivated a younger group, consisting mostly of ex-associates and alleged members, to propagate state narratives and manipulate facts on social media. An IT cell has been created who run different Facebook pages by the name of JDF Langate, Kulgam etc and by the names of independent candidates backed by the panel. In the absence of a strong counter-narrative, this group has been able to exploit the platform freely, even receiving financial support from the agencies. This group is led by Kaleemullah, son of Gh. Qadir Lone, who is now running as an independent candidate, backed by this rogue panel, for the Langate constituency.
Hijackers and Their Arguments
These hijackers, after deciding to contest the sham elections on their own, have now begun invoking the sacrifices made by Jamaat, the bans imposed, the arrests of its members, and the seizure of its assets. First, they must remember that no one has the right to exploit the sacrifices made by Jamaat. These sacrifices were made for a cause, a movement, a vision. You cannot simply disregard these sacrifices or the noble mission for which they were made. Instead, they should be honored, and the fight must continue until the mission, for which this blood was shed, is fulfilled. Who among those who made the ultimate sacrifice has given you permission to surrender to the oppressor and act as their agents? Isn’t it a betrayal of those who chose to face bullets for Iqamat-e-Deen and the freedom of our homeland?

Second, Jamaat is not just an NGO focused on revoking bans or engaging in “social work,” as your panel head, Ghulam Qadir Wani, claimed in a recent interview with The Quint. No one can erase the core principle of Iqamat-e-Deen from Jamaat’s constitution or reduce the organization to a mere charitable entity. Jamaat’s members may face brutal persecution, much like Ikhwanul Muslimeen, but they will never surrender or compromise on their fundamental principles. Jamaat is Ikhwanul Muslimeen, Hamas, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, and Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, all of which faced the worst crises yet remained resolute in their struggles, despite being banned, having members killed, properties seized, or being sent to the gallows. It is a global movement with a clear mission, one for which every member is willing to sacrifice life and wealth under any circumstances.

Regarding these sham elections, the hijackers claim they have been participating in elections and adhering to the Indian constitution since the beginning. But hasn’t the context changed since the initiation of the armed struggle, a decision made by the Jamaat Shura? Can participation in these farcical elections still be justified after the martyrdom of nearly 150,000 people?

Above all, when you have no mandate from the organization, how can you justify hijacking it with the full backing of our oppressors? Do you even realize the magnitude of the blunder you’re making? The general public must remember that these individuals are not representatives of Jamaat in Kashmir; they have hijacked it purely for their own vested interests.

To those who have launched a smear campaign against Jamaat, leveling baseless allegations and making sweeping statements—pause for a moment. Place your hand on your heart and ask yourself: Is it truly just to malign an organization that has faced the worst and sacrificed everything for the benefit of our oppressed nation? Is it fair to hold Jamaat accountable for actions it does not condone, simply because it has become a victim of circumstance, hijacked by a handful of opportunists?

Running smear campaigns against Jamaat, blaming the entire organization for the actions of a few who have exploited the situation for personal gain, is not just unjust—it is deeply wrong. Jamaat, despite its trials, has always stood for the rights of the people and continues to uphold its principles in the face of unimaginable adversity.