New Delhi, September 29, 2022 (PPI-OT):Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has expressed disagreement over the Narendra Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party government’s decision to ban the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates. JIH chief and prominent Muslim scholar, Syed Sadatullah Hussaini, in a statement said, “Banning an organisation is neither a solution nor does it suit a democratic society. The culture of banning the organisations is in itself a clear violation of the fundamental rights protected by the Constitution and goes against the democratic spirit and basic civil liberties.”
He said, people may have differences with these organisations, their policies, and the rhetoric. He maintained that it is the duty of the police and administration to maintain law and order in the country and if any individual breaks the law or commits any crime the individual can be prosecuted and dealt with as per the provisions of law. He said, the courts will decide about the allegations against them, where those individuals will also have a chance to prove their innocence. However, to ban an entire organization on flimsy and unsubstantiated grounds is unjustified and undemocratic, Hussaini added.
Hussaini said, recently, we have witnessed many fringe and radical Hindu groups openly indulging in hate-mongering and calling for violence. He pointed out that these groups are operating with impunity and no action is being taken against them whatsoever. “Hence, the ban appears selective, discriminatory, and biased. It will increase the trust deficit between people and the government and send a wrong message to the country. We demand that the ban be revoked at the earliest,” he said.
Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), the student body of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, also condemned the ban. SIO national president, Mohammad Salman said, “The ban on Popular Front of India (PFI) is a worrying development for all citizens and constitutes a threat to democracy and freedom. We may have many differences with PFI, but the response to disagreement cannot be prohibition.”
He said the way this ban has been preceded by raids and detention of hundreds of activists and common people without any evidence of wrongdoing, makes us fear that this is another instance of selective criminalisation of those who try to represent the voice of marginalised groups. Salman appealed to all those “who value their freedom to come forward and make sure this ban does not become another excuse for the unjust incarceration of innocent people across the country.”
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