Government bans J&K’s Awami Action Committee, Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen for 5 years

Centre bans Awami Action Committee and Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen for anti-national activities, supporting terrorism, and fuelling secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Awami Action Committee (AAC), headed by Kashmir's influential cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), led by Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari, were on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) banned by the Centre for their alleged anti-national activities, supporting terrorism and fuelling secessionist activities.

Farooq is the chairman of the separatist amalgam All Parties Hurriyat Conference and head cleric of Srinagar's Jamia Masjid, Kashmir's grandest and most influential mosque, where he delivers sermons.

Ansari is also a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and a Shia leader of Kashmir.

In a notification, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the AAC is also indulging in unlawful activities that are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country.

In a separate notification, the MHA said the JKIM is indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. Its members have remained involved in supporting terrorist activities and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism in J&K, it said.

Considering all the facts available, the MHA declared both groups outlawed for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, according to the notifications.

The home ministry said the leaders and members of AAC have been involved in mobilising funds for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting secessionist, separatist and terrorist activities in J-K.