Sharing a video of a statement made by Spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch on X(Twitter), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Pakistan wrote: “Pakistan’s condemnation of India’s decision to ban Kashmiri political parties in Jammu and Kashmir”.

In the video, Baloch can be heard saying: Pakistan denounces the decision of Indian authorities to ban the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji Faction) while extending the current ban on Jamat-e-Islami for five more years”.

Fact-Check

To determine the reality of the above viral claim, the DFRAC team searched some keywords focusing on this aspect. Meanwhile, the team discovered some pieces of evidence demonstrating it as false and misleading.

Tweet by Union Home Minister on X

In our probe, we found a tweet dated Dec 27, 2023, on the official X(Twitter) handle of Union Home Minster Amit Shah stating that 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 establish Islamic rule in J&K”.

Media Reports from Hindustan Times, Deccan Herald and The Tribune

 According to a media report published by The Tribune on December 27, 2023, The Centre on Wednesday declared the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) or MLJK-MA as an unlawful association under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.

Further, the report cited: “Home Minister Amit Shah, in his post on X, stated, “This organisation and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities in J&K, supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K.” Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s message is loud and clear that anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty and integrity of the nation won’t be spared and will face the full wrath of the law”

Moreover, media reports from the Hindustan Times and ‘Deccan Herald also stated similar facts about the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction).

Separatist outfits (Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jamaat-e-Islami & Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) banned earlier

Not only this, the Union Government has banned some separatist outfits (Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jamaat-e-Islami,& Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), earlier as well due to their involvement in forbidden activities to separate J&K, spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activities to fuel secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir.

A media report by the Hindustan Times dated 31 December 2023 stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Kashmiri separatist party Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) has been declared an ‘Unlawful Association’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The decision comes as a result of the organization’s involvement in prohibited activities aimed at the separation of Jammu and Kashmir from India and the establishment of Islamic rule.

Furthermore, the report cited that the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat had long been under scrutiny for its alleged role in spreading anti-India propaganda and promoting activities that fuel secessionism in the sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir. The outfit has been accused of engaging in terror-related activities to achieve its objectives.

Additionally, according to a media report published by India Today on March 2, 2019, the Centre banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir for a period of five years citing reasons that the outfit was in “close touch” with militant outfits. The Jamaat-e-Islami was banned under anti-terror laws with the Centre aiming at preventing any “escalation of secessionist movement” in the state.

Subsequently, another report from the media outlet, The Print published on March 29, 2019 cited that the Modi government banned the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), headed by the prominent separatist leader Yasin Malik. The organisation has been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with the government accusing it of illegally funnelling funds for fomenting terrorism” and blaming it for the killing of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989 leading to their exodus from the Valley. The JKLF is the second organisation to be banned under the UAPA within a month, after the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Conclusion

It is evident from DFRAC’s Fact-Check that the Condemnation by PAK’s MFA over India’s decision to ban Kashmiri Political Parties is false and misleading as these outfits are banned due to their involvement in forbidden activities to separate Jammu &Kashmir, spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activities to fuel secessionism in Jammu & Kashmir.

Analysis: Misleading