India bans PFI for 5 years, Congress MP asks why not RSS

Indian PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah

Many BJP leaders have celebrated and welcomed the step taken by the central government as Delhi BJP leader, Kapil Mishra, came forward and wrote on his Twitter that banning PFI is a pivotal step to stop Islamic Jihad.

The central government on Tuesday night announced a ban of 5-years on the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliated organizations. The ban comes to light after a nationwide crackdown on the PFI and its associates by the investigative agencies which was carried out in the span of 2 weeks and resulted in 247 arrests so far.

The Central government in their declaration informed that PFI and its associates have been banned under the Unlawful Activities (prevention) act (UAPA). The center also cited that the political organization has been linked with the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), and the Islamic State (ISIS).

The Home Ministry in their issued statement added that the PFI has been pursuing a secret agenda to radicalize a sect of the society and added that the organization and its affiliates have the potential to disturb the peace and communal harmony by jeopardizing the integrity, sovereignty, and security of the country.

Throughout the Nationwide raids on PFI and its affiliates, in a collaborative effort by the NIA and ED and the administration were able to cover 15 states which led to 100 arrests on 22 September. Whereas, in the second round, 27 of September, the toll of arrests tallied up to 247 arrests according to the reports.

The affiliated organizations which are banned for 5 years include Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CF), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala.

The decision to ban the organization and its affiliates was considered based on the investigative agency’s reports. The ban was also implemented after considering the recommendations from three states, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.

Many BJP leaders have celebrated and welcomed the step taken by the central government as Delhi BJP leader, Kapil Mishra, came forward and wrote on his Twitter that banning PFI is a pivotal step to stop Islamic Jihad.

However, Congress party’s MP Kodikunnil Suresh scrutinized the center’s ban on PFI and added that it is not the solution and further remarked that the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh is also a counterpart to the threat of harmony as the RSS is also spreading Hindu communalism throughout the country. Why is RSS not being subjected to such bans asked Congress leader. - Source: APN Live