Kashmiris' welfare lies in integration with India: Major Muslim group

The general council of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, a group of influential Islamic theologians, on Wednesday reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir was an “integral part of India and all Kashmiris are our compatriots”.

The resolution passed by a meeting of the general council of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind in Delhi noted “Any separatist movement is harmful not only for the country but for people of Kashmir as well.”

The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind noted that it "was not unmindful of the desire of Kashmiri people, their self-respect and demand of preservation of their cultural identity”. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind declared it was its “national duty” to protect rights of Kashmiris, but added “It's our firm belief that their welfare lies in getting integrated with India. The inimical forces and neighbouring country are bent upon destroying Kashmir.”

It added that the "current situation" in Jammu and Kashmir posed a threat not only to Kashmir, but to the entire region. "The situation demands that we launch peaceful initiatives to maintain peace and security in the region especially in view of the repercussions of a clash of atomic powers,” the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind noted.

The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind resolution called on the government to protect the lives and human rights of Kashmiris and use "every possible constitutional means" for bringing back normalcy to the region and winning the hearts of the people.

The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is considered one of the most influential Muslim groups in India. Belonging to the Deobandi school, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind was founded in 1919. In late August, Maulana Arshad Madani, president of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, held a long meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Delhi, where they reportedly discussed ways to promote communal harmony.