Srinagar, CNI: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has urged the creation of stricter laws to prevent groups like Jama’at-e-Islami from taking part in the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir. In an interview with NDTV, LG Sinha stressed the importance of establishing a legal framework to bar organizations with secessionist ideologies from mainstream political participation.
“The issue is not just about Jama’at; other groups influenced by Pakistan have historically boycotted elections. It’s critical that we ensure our democracy operates within the law, as the Election Commission of India (ECI) adheres to constitutional methods,” Sinha remarked.
He called for a political consensus and discussions in Parliament to develop a unanimous law that would safeguard elections from the participation of such forces. According to Sinha, without stringent laws, preventing these groups from contesting elections remains challenging.
In the same interview, the LG hailed the significant number of independent candidates participating in the upcoming J&K Assembly elections, describing it as a “sign of a healthy democracy.” He noted that past elections were often marked by unopposed victories in numerous constituencies, suggesting that fairer elections could have drastically changed the political landscape.
Sinha’s comments have reignited discussions on the influence of secessionist groups in the region’s politics, with many agreeing that safeguarding democratic integrity is key to long-term stability in Jammu and Kashmir. CNI