The Justice and Development Front-J&K (JDF-J&K), a splinter faction of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), on Friday (January 30, 2026) said it has been recognized by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and pledged to operate within the framework of the constitution.
“The ECI has accepted the request and recognized JDF-J&K as a political party. This is an important step towards a permanent democratic process in J&K. This development should not be seen only through the prism of the seats it can win. Instead, the party intends to follow a path so that no bans are imposed in the future and the existing bans are withdrawn,” said JDF-J&K patron-in-chief Qadir Ghu.
JDF-J&K was floated in Kashmir in 2024. Most of the current office bearers are former JeI members including President Shameem Ahmad Thokar, Vice President Abdul Rehman Shalla and Secretary General Sayar Reshi. They all contested the 2024 council elections as independent candidates. However, none managed to gain any ground in Kashmir.
Calling the 1987 “rigged elections” one of the causes of the unrest in J&K, Mr. Lone praised the 2024 Assembly elections. “One of the reasons for the unrest in J&K was the rigged elections in 1987, which were contested by the Muslim United Front. But the 2024 assembly elections were so free and fair that not a single vote raised questions. If such elections were held had taken place in the past, the situation in Kashmir would have been different,” Lone said.
He said the party could not win any seat in 2024 but the atmosphere in favor of the election had improved. “The Government of India has also realized that elections should be fair,” he added.
Outlining the party, Mr. Lone said, “J&K is with India. One should not function outside the constitution, seek Pakistan or secession, and create trouble,” Mr. Lone said. “This is exactly why we are suspected, whether we are a preacher in a mosque or a politician,” he added.
He said that India and Pakistan are two nuclear states and they will resolve the issues through dialogue. “J&K has no role in this,” Mr. Lone said.
The party patron has pledged to fight moral battles such as ending drug abuse, corruption and excessive spending at weddings. “No one is coming forward to change it. We will educate people about it,” said Mr Lone, who also served the banned JeI in the past.
JeI was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2019 and declared an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for five years. The ban was extended to 2029 in 2024.
Published – 30 Jan 2026 21:30 IST
