Popular Front of India Declared 'Unlawful Association', Banned For Five Years

© AFP 2023 / SAJJAD HUSSAINIndia's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters and activists take part in a protest demanding ban on Popular Front of India (PFI) organisation in New Delhi on February 28, 2021.
India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters and activists take part in a protest demanding ban on Popular Front of India (PFI) organisation in New Delhi on February 28, 2021. - Sputnik International, 1920, 28.09.2022
Subscribe
Popular Front of India, which describes itself as a social Islamic movement, has been under watch of the federal investigative agencies for a long time over suspicion of promoting a radical ideology among Indian Muslims and even organizing training camps for future radicals.
The Indian government has banned the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliate organizations for five years on charges of funding terrorism.
The development came following two rounds of nationwide raids and arrests of more than 300 people linked to the organization or its affiliated Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI).

Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala are the associate organizations of the PFI that have been banned under the new order.

The Federal Home Ministry, in a gazette notification, declared the PFI and its affiliate organizations an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as it cited the Islamic group’s links with the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Islamic State or ISIS.

It further stated in the notification that the PFI is involved in several criminal and terror cases and shows sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority of the country with funds and ideological support from outside, it has become a major threat to the internal security of the country.

The ministry also delegated powers to states and Union Territories to act against PFI and its affiliates under the anti-terror law.
© Photo : Twitter/@Shehzad_IndBJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla Termed Ban on PFI as Strong Action by Federal Government
BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla Termed Ban on PFI as Strong Action by Federal Government - Sputnik International, 1920, 28.09.2022
BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla Termed Ban on PFI as Strong Action by Federal Government
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politicians have supported the decision as they said that it is a “bold and decisive” decision by PM Modi's government and a move that sends a message to all “anti-national groups" that they will not survive in this country.

“This is ‘New India’, where terrorists, criminals and organizations and individuals who pose a threat to the unity, integrity and security of the nation are not acceptable,” Uttar Pradesh State Chief Yogi Adityanath said.

Calling the Islamic organization an incarnation of SIMI (the banned Student’s Islamic Movement of India), Karnataka State Chief Bommai said that the people of the country as well as all political parties including the opposition have been demanding a ban on the PFI for a long time.
Top Hindu organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad also welcomed the move as its national spokesperson said: “This (Popular Front of India) was a clan of terror, whose terrorism cannot be finished until and unless you destroy its clan.”
However, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen called for a fair probe as its Maharashtra unit president Imtiaz Jaleel said that agencies should come out with details of what illegalities were being committed by an organization whose youth are being arrested in large numbers.
Security has been beefed up in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states in order to avoid any untoward incident.

‘Operation Octopus’: Largest Ever Crackdown on PFI

Notably, Indian investigative agencies had launched the “largest ever” crackdown on the Islamic group on September 22, when officials raided at least 93 locations in 15 states and held more than 100 members who were allegedly associated with it.
A week later, on September 27, federal agencies along with state police also conducted raids in eight states, targeting top PFI members.
More than 200 people including PFI chairman O.M.A Salam, Kerala PFI chief C.P. Mohammed Basheer, national secretary V.P. Nazarudheen, and national council member P. Koya have been taken into custody.
According to media reports, the searches are carried out against those allegedly involved in funding terrorist activities, organizing training camps, and recruiting citizens for proscribed groups.
The raids on September 22 triggered massive protest by PFI sympathizers in different parts of the country.
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала