Modi Govt bans Muslim group after crackdown
A week after raiding its offices followed by largescale arrests of members, India on Wednesday banned the Popular Front of India (PFI).
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), however, did not act against the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which is considered the PFI’s political arm.
A government official said since SDPI is a recognised political party, registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI), any action against it would have to be initiated by the commission.
In contrast, the PFI and its associate organisadons are registered under the Societies of Registration Act, 1860.
The SDPI functionary told that they were not connected to PFI but they also condemned the ban.
The party said in a statement that the “decision of the Union BJP government banning PFI and its associate organisations is a direct blow on democracy and the rights of people enshrined in Indian Constitution.”
Modi Govt bans Muslim group after crackdown
When asked about the government’s charge that SDPI activists were involved in criminal activities, SDPI’s national general secretary Elyas Thumbe said: “Terror accused Pragya Singh Thakur is an elected member of Lok Sabha.”
There are thousands of members in a political party and the party isnot responsible for the criminal activities of its members.
“Around 43 per cent members in Lok Sabha have a criminal record. Why Congress and BJP are not blamed?”, he questioned.
After the Sept 22 countrywide raids, when 109 members and top leadership of the PFI were arrested, State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra had said it was “the first step towards banning PFI and SDPI.”
