Hafiz Mohammad Sikander Malik, former district president of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), has appealed to voters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora Constituency to give him a chance to serve them in the upcoming assembly elections.
Addressing a rally at Gulshan Chowk, Malik said that JeI has never supported violence in J&K and has consistently focused on religious work and social service.
“As circumstances evolved, the organisation and its members were compelled to step forward to serve the people who have been suffering for years,” he said.
Malik denied allegations that JeI candidates are contesting the elections to split votes, especially in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said, “We will never align with the BJP or anyone whose principles clash with ours. We stand on our own and make no false promises.”
He also highlighted his “commitment to the Kashmir issue”, expressing solidarity with figures like Engineer Rashid, who he praised for understanding the real struggles of the region. Malik added, “There is peace in J&K, but only those who have spent years in jail, like Engineer Rashid, truly understand the depth of the wounds.”
In a direct criticism of the National Conference, Malik said that the party initially welcomed JeI’s decision to enter the election fray but has since accused them of being a BJP proxy. “We have had long-standing differences with the National Conference, and the public should not be misled by these false claims,” Malik said.
