On Sunday (31 December), the Centre announced that Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, located in Jammu and Kashmir (TeH), has been designated as an ‘unlawful association’ for a period of five years under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on his official X handle, “The outfit is involved in forbidden activities to separate Jammu and Kashmir from India and establish Islamic rule. The group is found spreading anti-India propaganda and continuing terror activities to fuel secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir. Under PM @narendramodi Ji’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, any individual or organisation found involved in anti-India activities will be thwarted forthwith.”

In an official announcement released on Sunday, Additional Secretary Praveen Vashista stated that the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat is recognised for its role in inciting terrorism and spreading anti-India sentiments to stimulate secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. He further mentioned in the announcement that the goal of the TeH is to detach Jammu and Kashmir from India and institute Islamic governance in the region.

The group favoring Pakistan was previously led by the late separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was then succeeded by Masarat Alam Bhat.

Bhat is also recognised for his propaganda against India and in favor of Pakistan. At present, Bhat is incarcerated and his political group, the Muslim League of Jammu Kashmir, was officially outlawed on 27 December.

“…And, whereas, the leaders and members of the TeH have been involved in raising funds through various sources including Pakistan and its proxy organisations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, and sustained stone-pelting on Security Forces in Jammu and Kashmir…The TeH and its members by their activities show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country,” said the Centre’s notification.

“…The TeH members are paying tributes to terrorists who were killed in encounters with Security Forces and its members have been involved in supporting terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country, thereby endangering the security and public order of the State…The TeH and its leaders and members have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, security and communal harmony of the country,” it said.

The announcement reveals that the TeH has consistently expressed disbelief in a democratic governance system, with its leadership frequently urging the boycotting of assembly elections on several occasions.

“…And, whereas, the Central government is of the opinion that if there is no immediate curb or control of unlawful activities of the TeH, Jammu and Kashmir, it will use this opportunity to; continue advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir form the Union of India while disputing its accession to the Union of India, continue with the anti-national activities which are detrimental to the territorial integrity, security and sovereignty of the country and continue propagating false narrative and anti-national sentiments among the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to cause disaffection against India and disrupt public order,” it said.

“…The Central government is firmly of the opinion that having regard to the activities of the TeH, it is necessary to declare it, as an ‘unlawful association’ with immediate effect under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette,” it said.