Srinagar, In a move that further tightens its grip on political dissent in the region, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has officially banned the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This action is part of a continuing strategy aligned with the Modi administration’s Hindutva ideology, targeting political organizations within the territory.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the ban was announced by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah via a post on the social media platform “X”. The declaration specifically targets two factions of the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, one led by Professor Abdul Ghani Butt and the other by All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Ghulam Nabi Sumjhi, labeling both as unlawful entities.

This recent prohibition marks another chapter in the series of measures aimed at suppressing political activities and movements in Jammu and Kashmir that oppose the Indian government’s policies. The banning of these groups underscores the ongoing tensions between the Indian state and various Kashmiri political factions seeking different degrees of autonomy or independence.

The move has drawn criticism from various quarters, highlighting concerns over the erosion of democratic freedoms and the right to political expression in the troubled region. Observers note that such bans contribute to the complex and volatile situation in Jammu and Kashmir, potentially exacerbating the challenges to peace and stability in South Asia.