Allowing JeI in electoral process will be historical blunder: Mir Junaid

Kupwara, Jul 28: Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party President Mir Junaid Sunday said that allowing banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in electoral process will be historical blunder.

He said that centre should never allow Jamaat-e-Islami to take part in electoral politics and instead it should be made accountable for the turmoil and suffering it has inflicted on Kashmiris over the past four decades. Mir was addressing scores of people associated with customary mining of minerals from Nallah Mawer.

"Jamaat-e-Islami has always been a threat to national security and national integrity by advocating for election boycotts and promoting separatism. How come that party which has brought sufferings to Kashmiris for last several decades can talk about contesting elections? If Syed Salahuddin tomorrow wishes to contest elections, does that mean he will be allowed to do so. This country will never allow to happen that," he added.

Talking about Kashmiri Pandits, Mir said that Jamaat-e-Islami was responsible for the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir in 1990. He attributed to their mass exodus to the actions and ideology propagated by Jamaat-e-Islami. Mir said that the organization’s role in this tragic chapter of Kashmir's history must not be forgotten.

About the incarcerated Member Parlaiment (MP) from north Kashmir Er Rashid, Mir said that once he comes out of jail, it would be interesting to observe whether he continues to advocate for a plebiscite, a stance that has been the cornerstone of his political career.

Earlier, the people apprised Mir that they were not being allowed to extract minerals from Nallah Mawer with the result they were facing immense hardships and potential starvation.

He assured them of taking their genuine demand with the higher ups but at the same time he cautioned them of not extracting minerals in the close proximity of bridges over Nallah Mawer to avoid structural damages.