After Jamaat-e-Islami ex-chiefs distance themselves from his new alliance, Sajad Lone lashes out — ‘Know who's behind it'

Indian Express

7 hours ago

A day after former Jamaat-e-Islami chiefs distanced themselves from the Justice and Development Front (JDF), Sajad Lone, whose Peoples Conference is part of the new alliance, said 'he knew' who was behind the statements.
At a press conference in Srinagar, Lone, whose party joined hands with the Justice and Development Front and the People's Democratic Front to form the new alliance, also accused the government of withdrawing security of former minister and People's Democratic Front (PDF) chief Hakeem Yasin and Peoples Conference leader Sheikh Imran Sheikh Imran saying that the issue of 'security is being politicised'.
The alliance for a political 'alternative' was announced last week by Lone, JDF president Shamim Ahmad Thoker and Yasin. While the JDF claims to be the political wing of the Jamaat, three former chiefs of the Islamic outfit distanced themselves saying it does not support any party, front or alliance.
'We knew, whenever there is an alliance or a political activity, there would be some parties, individuals or institutions who perhaps will not like it,' Lone, flanked by Sheikh, said at a press conference.
The other constituents of the alliance, however, were not present at the press conference.
He then went on to say: 'The first statement came from Ghulam Mohammad Safi sahib, who has been living across (the border) for the last 30 years. He is the convenor of Hurriyat chapter there. It (statement) had a language that is common to them. Then there was a statement from Naseeb ud Sahib, who lives there. There was a statement from Ghulam Mohammad Bhat sahib, who is a senior leader. I had met him before (this alliance). I respect him because he was a very courageous man, even today. Then a statement came from Abdullah Wani sahib. There was a threat from a militant outfit from Pakistan'.
The government has withdrawn security of its leaders despite the 'threatening statements', he said.
'Our leader, Hakim Mohammad Yasin, who has been an ex-minister and survived an attack in early 90's, 80 percent of his security was withdrawn. And our young leader (Sheikh Imran), his security was also withdrawn,' Lone said. 'I am not saying this because I beg for the security but I want to put it in the public domain that how even the security is being politicised'.
Lone said that he saw the withdrawal of security as a 'snap reaction'.
'Security is the prerogative of the government and it is their decision. We have no regrets but I see it as a snap reaction. It has come just three days after we announced the alliance, we relate it to that. Yasin sahib's security was withdrawn after 21 years and Imran's security was there since 2009. If you want to withdraw my security also, you are welcome,' he said.
Without naming Jamaat-e-Islami, Lone said they have 'allied with the Justice and Development Front, which had past association with some party'. He then hinted that a Kashmiri party 'that has been in power for 20 years' was behind the remarks.
Although he did not name the party, he appeared to be referring to the PDP.
'Here, a Kashmiri party whose entire foundation is based on that party (Jamaat), they have been in power for 20 years. They are not ashamed that despite being in power for so long, they don't have a vote bank,' Lone said. 'They are arrogant. (They think) those they have exploited for votes, how could they muster courage to fight the elections and sit in the assembly with them. This is a cruel feeling and the height of arrogance,' he said.
Lone said this wouldn't stop the alliance and they would move forward. 'We know who is firing the gun from behind the backs, we know which uncle is behind this. Inshallah, we will move forward,' Lone said. 'We met today morning. All three constituents, we think that the decision we have made is good. The reactions are the biggest proof that Thank God, we are on the right track.'
Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. ... Read More