The Union Home Ministry has banned the Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for five more years for engaging in subversive activities that threaten the integrity and security of the country.
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The government asserted that if the unlawful activities of SIMI are not checked, then it will “continue its subversive activities and re-organise its activists who are still absconding; disrupt the secular fabric of the country by polluting the minds of the people by creating communal disharmony; propagate anti-national sentiments; escalate secessionism by supporting militancy; and undertake activities prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country.”
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the central government hereby declares the SIMI as an ‘unlawful association’ and directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years,” the Home Ministry notification said.
The Home Ministry also listed 58 cases where members belonging to the radical Islamic organization were allegedly involved. The order comes into effect on Thursday.
The Islamic organization has derived significant support from Indian political bigwigs until now. For instance, it was Salman Khurshid, senior Congress leader, who had appeared before the Supreme Court on behalf of SIMI when it challenged the central ban on it. Mulayam Singh Yadav, then SP supremo, too had adopted a soft stance towards the organization.