PFI News Updates: Centre bans radical outfit for 5 yrs; Owaisi opposes move

Miffed over the Centre banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliate organizations for five years, Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq called the government's action 'wrong' and said they should have been given a warning first.

Speaking exclusively to Republic Media Network, the Samajwadi MP stated that no political parties should be banned as it is against democracy. He claimed that there are multiple parties working in the country yet only PFI was banned 'because they were representing the Muslim community'. The SP MP further claimed that the BJP government want to establish 'Ram Rajya' and finish all other political parties.

In another setback following the declaration of the Popular Front of India (PFI) as an 'unlawful association' and banning it for the next five years, the Central government has directed all States and the Union Territories (UTs) to "exercise" powers of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against the outfit and its affiliates.

BJP's Manoj Tiwari reacted to the PFI ban in an exclusive conversation with Republic, saying, "Those who divide the nation will be punished. The Modi government is doing good work. We are giving a befitting reply to anti-national elements."

Congress, for the n-th time attacked the government on the ban of PFI. This time, addressing the press briefing, senior party leader and former Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath said that action should have been taken long ago, had the BJP-led government had evidence. 

"The general public wants security. They do not have anything to do with PFI or DFI, they want to be safe. If this was going on for the past many years, what were you doing? It did not just all of a sudden happen in a year?" Nath said, addressing a press briefing. 

MNS supremo Raj Thackeray 'wholeheartedly' welcomed the Union Home Ministry's ban on PFI. " An anti-national and anti-patriotic organization. Further, whenever such a pest is formed, it should be eradicated immediately. Congratulations to Home Minister Amit Shah," he wrote on Twitter. 

An active member of the PFI, identified as Dilshad, was arrested by STF and Krishna Nagar police from his residence in Azad Nagar in the Krishna Nagar area of Lucknow. All the literature, meeting documents, and mobile phones were recovered.

Kerala State General Secretary of PFI Abdul Sattar confirmed that 'all PFI members & public are informed that the Popular Front of India (PFI) has been dissolved'. He said, " MHA has issued a notification banning PFI. As law-abiding citizens of our great country, the organization accepts the decision."

Maharashtra Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar hailed the ban on PFI, saying, "Those who talk about dividing India, should be banned. It is a good decision."

He slammed Congress for the statements given by the party on the ban. "Why is Congress in pain," he said, taking the issue of comparison of RSS and PFI. " Congress should not talk about RSS as RSS serves the national interests of India
Congress knows that there is no evidence against RSS," he said. 

All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz welcomes the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) imposed by the Government of India. 

Arif Masood, Congress MLA & a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, questioned the government on the ban of PFI and its affiliates. He said, "...When Intelligance Bureau was giving inputs, it should've been banned immediately. Why did they wait for such a long time? Question is rising because they took such a long time..."

"All types of religious extremism should be taken seriously. Be it Hindu extremism or Muslim extremism. Stringent Action should be taken against extremist elements," said KC Venugopal, keeping up with the veiled attack on RSS after PFI ban. 

With the growing demand for the ban of SDPI now, P Abdul Hameed from the party said, "The ban on PFI is unconstitutional, and cannot be justified. This is an era of undeclared emergency". 

Nagendra Pateria, ACP Bhopal, in an exclusive with Republic said, "NCHRO is connected with PFI. We have sealed the office of this banned organisation. We will investigate the secretary of the organization, and also, see whether there are any documents or not."

Police sealing the National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO). This organization is one of the 9 organizations banned with PFI. 

Celebrations were held in Kanpur after the 5-year ban on PFI by the central government.

Hoardings were removed from the PFI's office in Navi Mumbai amid tight police security.

Commenting on the PFI ban, AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam said, "Over 100 PFI members arrested in last few days. I'm not supporting PFI but Government should've waited for probe before taking decision of banning PFI for 5 yrs. Government should ask Central Agencies to also probe Bajrang Dal, RSS, VHP who spread hate speech." 

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai spoke to Republic on the PFI ban and called Congress politically bankrupt for equating PFI with RSS.

Echoing the demand for a ban on RSS, ex-Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah opined, "We don't object to action against anybody who disturbs peace or is against law. RSS and others are also disturbing the peace in the same way, action must be taken against them as well, any such organizations must be banned."

Opposing a ban on the PFI, AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Actions of some individuals who commit crime does not mean that the organization itself must be banned. SC has also held that mere association with an organization is not enough to convict someone." 

Breaking his silence on the PFI ban, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav said, "PFI is being investigated. All organizations like PFI including RSS should be banned and an investigation should be done." 

SP spokesperson Ameeque Jamei stoked a row by linking the PFI ban to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He contended, "By banning PFI, the government wants to do two things. One, it wants that there should be no discussion on inflation, agriculture, health, education and development. Second, it wants to polarize the country keeping in mind the 2024 election. This is an attempt to intimidate Muslims in the country."

Commenting on the PFI ban, former MP CM Kamal Nath opined, "The public needs protection. If this was happening for so long, what were you doing? It was not born in a year. What evidence has been found yet? If it was already associated with terrorist organizations then what were you doing for so many years." 

Former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the ban on the PFI has been imposed keeping the security and national integrity of India in mind, yet some are politicising it.

"It's a very well-articulated order by the Centre. DMK government is very lax on law and order front, and I have a strong feeling it doesn't have a larger vision for the country, on India's integrity," BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai said. 

Issuing a statement on the PFI ban, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh stated, "Congress has always been and will continue to be against ALL forms and types of communalism--majority, minority makes no difference."

The Maharashtra ATS seized the Bank of Baroda account of the PFI in Pune. As per sources, around Rs.10 lakh unaccountable money has been found in the PFI account. After scrutinizing the transactions, it was found that around Rs.10 lakh of unaccountable money was deposited from cash deposit machines in different states including MP and Kerala. 

Speaking to the media on the PFI ban, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma remarked, "In context of Assam, there was a sinister design by PFI and CFI to disturb peace and tranquility. PFI was radicalising many people. It's a bold decision. I express my thanks to PM Modi and Home Minister."

Republic TV exposed the global links of the PFI. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan commented, "Welcome the nationwide ban on PFI and its associates. This decision reiterates New India's zero-tolerance policy towards threats to national security and PM Narendra Modi's commitment to root out the forces aiming to disrupt peace, security and sovereignty of India." 

"We welcome PFI ban if reasonable. We've to fight against RSS in secular way too. Ban may not solve all problems. Earlier SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) was banned, but NDF (National Development Front), PFI emerged later," MLA MK Muneer, Indian Union Muslim League said. 

Speaking about the ban on the PFI, Union MoS Home Ajay Mishra Teni said, "The investigation was being done by the NIA, accordingly this action has been taken. Action was taken as per the information received in the coming time also". Reacting to the demand for a ban on RSS, he said, "They are not able to say what the Congress should say in Rajasthan. All I would say is to contribute to nation-building". 

BJP responded to Republic newsbreak and demanded that the Kerala Minister linked to the banned Rehab India Foundation must resign.

"Government of India banned PFI and its other sister organizations. State government will take further action as per the Unlawful Activities Act. No protest has happened and strict will be taken if someone does so. Police are on alert and will take strict action,"  Karnataka DG and IGP Praveen Sood said. 

Hailing the PFI ban, UP CM Yogi Adityanath remarked, "The ban imposed on Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliated organizations indulging in anti-national activities is commendable and welcome. This is 'New India', where terrorists, criminals and organizations and individuals who pose a threat to the unity and integrity of the nation and the security are not acceptable."

As per sources, the ban on the PFI and its affiliates has put an ally of the Left under the scanner. Muhammad Suleman, one of the trustees of Rehab India Foundation- which has also been proscribed is the president of the Indian National League- a coalition partner of the Left. 

Taking to Twitter, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde remarked, "The central government has decided to ban the organization Popular Front of India for five years. The government of Maharashtra welcomes this decision."

"The government has taken a good step by banning the fundamentalist organization PFI. India's soil is not the land of radical ideology, nor can such radical ideology flourish here that threatens the unity and integrity of the country," Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of All India Muslim Jamaat said. 

Security was tightened around the PFI office in the Shaheen Bagh area after the Central govt declared PFI and its associates unlawful for 5 years today.

Weighing in on the legal options for PFI, Supreme Court advocate Ashwini Dubey said, "The PFI can challenge the ban in the High Court and can provide reasons showing that they are not a terrorist organization but a society that works as per its objectives. In the context of PFI, MHA has declared it a terror outfit. Before this, even SIMI was declared a terror outfit. In 2019, Sikhs for Justice was announced as a terrorist outfit." 

Making a ludicrous claim, the Social Democratic Party of India stated that the ban on PFI and Associates is a part of undeclared emergency by the BJP regime.

An advisory has been issued to state police including Delhi to monitor movements of all sympathizers of now banned organization PFI or those directly or indirectly associated with it. 

"PFI along with all its affiliates and fronts is banned and declared as an unlawful association for five years. No compromise when it comes to the nation’s security and integrity," Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said. 

Stoking a big row, Congress MP K Suresh demanded a ban on RSS on the lines of PFI. He said, "We are also demanding a ban on RSS also. PFI ban is not a remedy. RSS is also indulging in communalism across the country. RSS is spreading Hindu communalism everywhere. RSS and PFI are equal. So, the government should ban both. Why only PFI? RSS is doing majority communalism. Wherever RSS is spreading majority communalism, minority communalism is also coming up. Ultimately, both communalism is dangerous". 

After the relentless Republic campaign, Republic's Aishwarya Kapoor explained the significance of the Modi government's big move. 

Speaking on the PFI ban, Sufi Islamic Board spokesperson Kashish Vasi said, "This was the fight of our organization. I wish the PFI would have imparted the correct Islam, the correct message and not misguided the youth of the country. We are happy that the government of India took action against him." 

Weighing in on the PFI ban, UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak opined, "Anti-social illegal activities of PFI were continuing. Various investigative agencies were investigating. In view of the facts that have come to light, the decision taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs has been appreciated by the whole country." 

The All India Bar Association(AIBA) expressed its hearty thanks to the Prime Minister and Home Minister for having done yet another surgical strike to ensure national unity and integration by banning the PFI. Dr. Adish C Aggarwala, Senior Advocate and Chairman of All India Bar Association, while congratulating the Prime Minister and Home Minister, now requests both “to continue to be the sentinel of the national security and integrity, to remain vigilant and ensure that PFI does not sprout under different name and banner to continue its terrorist and disruptive activities".

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla sarcastically remarked, "Hope Congress party is not crying copiously for PFI like it did for Batla terrorists." 

Police personnel were deployed outside the PFI district office in Coimbatore as the Central government today declared PFI and its associates unlawful for 5 years.

Taking a swipe at the opposition, BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi stated, "We welcome the ban on PFI. Mahagathbandhan leader Shivanand Tiwari had supported Pakistan Zindabad slogan by PFI. Siddaramaiah government had withdrawn 160 FIRs against 1600 people of PFI. GOB (Government of Bihar) was opposing giving Phulwari case to NIA." 

Hailing the PFI ban, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai remarked, "It was a long-time demand by the people of this country, by all political parties, including the Opposition like CPI, CPM and Congress. PFI was involved in anti-national activities, violence. They had their command outside the country." 

National Conference’s Sheikh Bashir told Republic, "PFI is an organization that doesn't have a lot of impact anywhere and it is not even a known organization in the country. But because it has come to the fore that this organization is working against the security of the country, it is not a bad thing that it has been banned. But a 5-year ban is not convincing."

As per sources, the official websites of the PFI and its affiliates have been taken down. 

Hailing the Union government's move to ban PFI, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma remarked, "I welcome the ban on (Popular Front of India) PFI by the Government of India. The Government is firm in its resolve to ensure that anyone with a diabolical, divisive, or disruptive design against India shall be dealt with iron fist. India of Modi Era is Decisive & Bold." 

In a massive development today, the Union government banned the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliate organizations for a period of 5 years. Besides the PFI, its affiliates- Rehab India Foundation, All India Imams Council, National Confederation of Human Rights Organization, National Women's Front, Junior Front, Campus Front of India, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala have been declared as "unlawful associations" in the exercise of the powers under the UAPA. This comes in the wake of massive pan-India raids against the PFI in which multiple people were arrested.

UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "We welcome the ban on PFI by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, PFI was synonymous with anti-national activities and a threat to national security, this decision is going to give top priority to national security!" 

Speaking to Republic TV on the Centre's decision to ban PFI, former J&K Deputy CM Kavinder Gupta said, "This government has shown zero tolerance towards anti-India activities. PFI has been involved in creating unrest." 

Sufi Kausar Mazidi who had been demanding a ban on the PFI for many years said, "Our arguments have been accepted, the Union Home Ministry has banned the PFI for 5 years. The Sufi Khanqah Association welcomes this step by the Centre. We hope that along with the PFI ban, every ideology that wants to bring separatism to the country should also be banned." 

"I welcome it. The central government has taken appropriate action against communal PFI and its other affiliates who were aiding and abetting terrorist acts in the country," Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra commented on the PFI ban. 

On September 22, the ED, NIA and state police conducted raids at 93 locations in 15 states - Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal, Bihar and Manipur. These searches were conducted at the houses and offices of the top PFI leaders and members in connection with 5 cases registered by the NIA. During the raids, incriminating documents, cash, sharp-edged weapons and a large number of digital devices were seized.

Moreover, a total of 45 PFI members including 19 from Kerala, 11 from Tamil Nadu, 7 from Karnataka, 4 from Andhra Pradesh, 2 from Rajasthan, and one each from UP and Telangana were arrested. As per sources, the operation was codenamed 'Operation Lotus' and involved months of planning and coordination with the involvement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. In the second phase of this operation on September 27, more than 247 people allegedly linked with PFI were detained or arrested in searches across seven states. 

Formed in 2006, the Popular Front of India has come under the scanner for its alleged involvement in various anti-social and anti-national activities. Its political front- the Social Democratic Party of India came into existence in 2009 and has contested elections. In April 2021, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the Centre is in the process of banning PFI. 

Sources revealed that both the ED as well as the NIA have submitted dossiers demanding a ban on PFI. The NIA dossier reportedly claimed that PFI is an offshoot of the Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) which was banned in 2001 after the 9/11 terror attack in the US. To back its case, the NIA highlighted that the same leaders have been a part of both organizations. Meanwhile, the ED revealed in its report that this outfit played a key role in mobilizing money for the anti-CAA protests. 

The notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs is as follows:

• The PFI utilises the mass outreach and funding capacity of its affiliates for strengthening its capability for unlawful activities

• While the PFI and its affililates operate as socio-economic, educational and political organizations, they have been pursuing a secret agenda to radicalise a particular section of society towards undermining democracy and show disrespect towards the constitutional set-up of the country

• They have been engaging in unlawful activities which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country

• They have the potential of disturbing public peace and communal harmony and supporting militancy

• Some of the PFI's founding members are leaders of the outlawed SIMI 

• The PFI has links with proscribed outfits such as Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh and ISIS

• Investigations in various cases have revealed that the PFI and its cadres have been engaging in violent and subversive acts

• These acts include chopping off a limb of a professor, cold-blooded killings of persons associated with organizations espousing other faiths, obtaining explosives to target powerful people and places and destruction of property

• The office-bearers and cadres of the PFI along with others are raising funds from within India and abroad through the banking channels, hawala, etc., projecting them as legitimate and using them to carry out various criminal, unlawful and terrorist activities in the country

• The governments of Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat recommended a ban on the PFI

Commenting on the PFI ban, BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh stated, "Terrorist incidents (by PFI) occurred in many states, disintegrating the nation and spreading violence. So we welcome this step (of Central Govt declaring PFI & its associates unlawful for 5 years)".