Srinagar, Sept 10: Dr Kalimullah, backed by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), filed his nomination papers on Tuesday as an independent candidate from the Langate constituency in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Speaking to the media persons, Dr Kalimullah said that since 1987, they had been unable to contest elections due to the deaths of “as many as 2,500 JeI members”. He said Jamaat is a democratic organisation and there had been an internal debate within JeI about participating in elections in 2008. Still, the government did not approach them to do so, he claimed.
The independent candidate said no confidential measures were taken with JeI, and the organisation’s focus shifted toward religious activities. In 2019, a ban was announced on JeI.
Addressing a question, he expressed his belief that only those with genuine votes will be declared winners, citing recent parliamentary elections as evidence.
Dr Kalimullah also mentioned that an estimated property worth Rs 5,000 crores belonging to Jamaat had been seized. “Over the past seven years, no one had addressed the issue,” he said.
These properties include 450 FAT schools with more than 2.5 lakh students, as well as several orphanages and Darul Ulooms besides other assets seized by the Government of India.
If elected, Dr Kalimullah said, he would prioritise education, health and employment. He plans to create new job opportunities for the youth beyond traditional remote jobs, including positions in the private sector. “We will fight with dignity and will accept whatever results come after October 8,” he said.
Dr Kalimullah urged his opponents not to create an environment that divides society, engage in hate-based politics or give hate speeches.
“This should not happen. Instead, there should be an environment where we can live together peacefully, just like we have in the past. These people have lived with us, and we have lived with them. We should not divide society. This is my message to the political parties,” he said.
