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Synopsis

In a recent development, the Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 has declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the other eight alleged affiliated fronts as ‘unlawful associations’. The fronts which include: 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, have been banned for five years.

The basis of such declaration and the ban is the investigations that have established clear linkages between PFI, its associates, and other fronts.

The Ban imposed, was sought by the States of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka.

The affiliates and associates had a ‘Hub and Spoke’ relationship with the PFI acting as the Hub and utilizing the mass outreach and fund raising capacity of its associates, said another statement. And that they were raising funds from within India and abroad through the banking channels, and the hawala, donations, etc. as part of a well-crafted criminal conspiracy, to carry out terrorist activities. 

To trace the history, in the past few days National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate carried out massive operations, and raids in several states to track down people involved in the outfit. 

It further reads that the PFIs involvement in violent crimes have been revealed, which includes chopping off limbs of a college professor, cold blooded killings of persons associated with organisations espousing other faiths, obtaining explosives to target prominent people and places and destruction of public property.

The organisation was aiming at different sections of the society such as youth, students, women, Imams, lawyers or weaker sections of the society with the sole objective of expanding its membership, influence and fund raising capacity, it read. 

The Gazette by the Ministry of Home Affairs puts forth, “they have been pursuing a secret agenda to radicalise a particular section of the society working towards undermining the concept of democracy and show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country”

And it further said that the PFI was indulged in such unlawful activities that were prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country and could potentially disturb communal harmony. 

PFIs linkages were established by two proscribed organisations, Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Jamat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).