With the new wing, already active in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, the Jamaat aims to acquire support at the grassroots level.

The Jamaat’s state leadership has been planning a mass movement for quiet some time. However, “strict guidelines” by party members have restricted the organisation’s growth in the state.

“The new wing has been active in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. It has found great support there and is open to people irrespective of their faith and beliefs. It is an independent organisation supported by the Jamaat and seeks to mobilise people to work for social justice. We are hoping to launch in February,” a senior state leader of the Jamaat told The Indian Express.

While the Jamaat’s local leadership maintains the move should not be seen as a political venture, sources said the wing is being launched to give Jamaat a substantial position during social campaigns in the state, such as the Nandigram protests.

“It is a people’s movement and intends to work for peace and human rights,” said Mohd Raisuddin, former state president of the Jamaat and chairman of the party’s state political cell.

Unlike the Jamaat, the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (another nationwide socio-religious Muslim organisation) has been slowly but steadily extending its membership among minorities and underprivileged people.