Tribunal confirms ban on Awami Action Committee under UAPA

Srinagar, Sep 29: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal has upheld the Central Government’s decision to declare the Awami Action Committee (AAC), as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The Tribunal confirmed the March 11, 2025 Gazette Notification S.O. 1115(E), in which the Ministry of Home Affairs cited AAC’s activities as prejudicial to India’s sovereignty, integrity, and security. The order stated that the government had exercised its powers under Section 3(1) and the proviso to Section 3(3) of the UAPA, directing the ban to remain in effect.
The notification accused the AAC of promoting secessionist ideologies, mobilising funds for anti-India campaigns, and supporting activities that threatened law and order in Jammu and Kashmir. It cited multiple FIRs and legal cases registered between 2008 and 2017 against AAC members, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the group’s media advisor, for speeches and slogans allegedly fuelling unrest.
In its order, the Tribunal noted that the evidence and background material provided by the government justified the declaration. “The nature of the association’s past involvement in anti-national campaigns and its continued potential to destabilise the state validates the decision,” the Tribunal observed. It further emphasised that due procedure was followed and that the decision came after an independent evaluation of the government’s submissions. [KNT]