India Bans Awami Action Committee and J&K Ittehadul Muslimeen for Five Years, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Under House Arrest During Friday Sermon

The Indian government has imposed a five-year ban on the Awami Action Committee (AAC) led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the J&K Ittehadul Muslimeen (JKIM) led by Masroor Abbas Ansari. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the ban is necessary for maintaining public order. Following the announcement, several political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir criticized the decision, arguing that such actions hinder reconciliation efforts in the region. Notably, CPI(M) MLA Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami remarked that the government's approach contradicts its claims of promoting normalcy and mainstream opportunities. Additionally, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been placed under house arrest, preventing him from delivering the Friday sermon at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar, further escalating tensions in the region. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed support for the ban, while other political parties have urged the central government to reconsider its decision.