Another Hurriyat constituent shuns separatism

SRINAGAR: Yet another constituent of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement (JKMM), has disassociated itself from it, becoming the 12th organisation to break away from the separatist amalgam in recent months.

“Under the Modi govt the spirit of unity rules J&K. Another Hurriyat affiliate organisation, Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement, has rejected separatism, declaring complete commitment to the unity of Bharat. I sincerely welcome their move,” Union home minister Amit Shah said in a post on X on Friday. “Till now as many as 12 Hurriyat-linked organisations have broken off from secessionism, resting trust in the Constitution of India. This is a victory of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision for Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (sic.).”

Three other groups — Jammu Kashmir Islamic Political Party, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Democratic League and Kashmir Freedom Front — had announced their separation from Hurriyat Conference on April 8.

In a public declaration on Thursday evening, Fareeda Behan Ji, chairperson of J&K Mass Movement, categorically disassociated herself and her organisation from the separatist conglomerates operating in Kashmir, including both factions of Hurriyat Conference. She stated that she and her organisation did not have “any inclination or sympathy for the ideology of APHC, which has not been able to address the legitimate aspirations and grievances of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”. Reaffirming her faith in the Constitution of India, she said: “My organisation and I are not affiliated with any organisation or association having an agenda that goes directly or indirectly against India and its interests.”

On March 25, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Political Movement, and Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Movement had severed links with Hurriyat. J&K Tahreeqi Isteqlal and J&K Tahreek-I-Istiqamat are among the other groups that have announced their disassociation from the amalgam. Democratic Political Movement was a constituent of the Hurriyat faction led by late hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.

Meanwhile, J&K Police on Thursday said they had arrested eight people from Bandipora in north Kashmir for promoting secessionist activities. The arrested men are associated with outfits that have been banned under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.