Ban on Kashmiri resistance leader Yasin Malik’s political group extended

On March 16th, the Hindu-nationalist Modi Government declared Kashmiri pro-freedom leader Yasin Malik’s nonviolent and political group, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), as an ‘Unlawful Association’ for a further period of five years. 

“The banned outfit continues to engage in activities that foment terror and secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir. Anyone found challenging the security, sovereignty and integrity of the nation will face harsh legal consequences,” Home Minister of India Amit Shah claimed in a post on X.

He further added that the organization jeopardized India’s integrity by promoting, aiding and abetting the secession of Jammu and Kashmir through militancy.

India has for long attempted at delegitimizing the Kashmiri freedom struggle by labeling it as secessionism, and by presenting Kashmiri call for self-determination as a threat to its “security” and “national integrity”. 

Despite Yasin Malik renouncing armed struggle in 1994 and declaring that he would adopt only peaceful and nonviolent methods in his pursuit of self-determination, the Indian government has continuously detained him and maintained a total ban on his organization under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.