, recently declared that he had abandoned armed struggle and adopted the principles of Mahatma Gandhi in 1994.){kind=link}
Yasin Malik, the leader of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Forces Front-Yasin (JKLF-Y), recently declared that he had abandoned armed struggle and adopted the principles of Mahatma Gandhi in 1994. He stated, “I gave up arms, I’m a Gandhian now,” in an affidavit submitted during a tribunal review of the ban on JKLF-Y.
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal, in its recent order published in the official gazette, declared JKLF-Y an “unlawful organization” for the next five years. The ruling detailed the outfit’s links to top political and government figures since 1994 and questioned its legitimacy. The JKLF, headed by separatist Yasin Malik, was banned by the Home Ministry on March 22. The tribunal said there is “sufficient cause to confirm notification issued by the government declaring the said organization as an unlawful association”.
Despite Malik’s claims, the Indian government has maintained a firm stance against him and JKLF-Y. The Centre, in its ban notification issued on March 15, 2024, argued that Malik’s renunciation of violence was superficial. According to statements from officers involved in cases against JKLF-Y, Malik continued to support and sustain terrorism even after 1994. This perspective was reinforced by Malik’s conviction in a terror funding case and his life sentence in Tihar Jail.
Malik’s Prior Convictions
Malik is a prime accused in the 1990 killing of four Indian Air Force personnel in Rawalpora, Srinagar. Earlier this year, witnesses identified Malik as the main shooter in the case, adding to the gravity of the charges against him. In addition to this, Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2022 in a terror financing case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
JKLF-Y was founded by Yasin Malik in 1988. Initially, the organization pursued an armed struggle to achieve its goal of an independent Kashmir, which included the reintegration of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Gilgit, and Baltistan with Jammu and Kashmir.
The Centre’s argument against Malik is rooted in his continued involvement in activities deemed supportive of terrorism. Despite his public renunciation of arms, the government contends that Malik’s actions and affiliations contradict his claims of following Gandhian principles.
In May 2022, Malik was convicted by a Delhi court for his involvement in a terror funding case. He was found guilty of participating in and funding terrorist acts, as well as being involved in a criminal conspiracy.
The charges against Malik included sections 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy to commit terrorist act), and 20 (being a member of a terrorist gang or organization) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 124-A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had sought the death penalty for Malik, but the court opted for life imprisonment. Malik did not contest the charges, stating that he had given up arms in the 1990s and had since followed non-violent principles.
The court handed down two life sentences and five 10-year jail terms, all to be served concurrently.
Despite Malik’s claims of renouncing violence and adopting Gandhian principles, the Indian government maintains that he continues to support and sustain terrorism. This perspective is supported by statements from officers involved in cases against JKLF-Y.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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