In response to BJP’s welcoming ban on PFI, Congress said it is against all forms of communalism.
In response to the Centre’s decision to ban the Popular Front of India, BJP leaders on Wednesday welcomed the decision, while party leaders from the Congress said they oppose all forms of communalism, regardless of whether they are majoritarian or minority. As for Congress, it said on Wednesday it has always opposed all forms and types of communalism – both majority and minority – and would do so in the future as well, without mentioning the PFI or the ban specifically.
Basavaraj Bommai, Karnataka’s chief minister, told reporters the move sends a clear message to “anti-national groups” that they cannot survive here.
People of this country, including opposition parties such as the CPI, CPI(M) and Congress, have demanded it for a long time. In contrast to SIMI, KFD (Karnataka Forum for Dignity) is SIMI’s avatar (incarnation). In addition to anti-national activities, they were also involved in violence.
Bommai praised the government for taking the right decision but claimed that some of the organization’s leaders crossed the border for training. The state home minister, Araga Jnanendra, also expressed similar sentiments, saying the central government had taken appropriate action against the organization and its affiliates.
Several associated organizations, including the Rehab India Foundation (RIF) and Campus Front of India, have been banned for five years by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Arun Singh, BJP General Secretary, responded by saying that prohibition is necessary for the country’s survival. According to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the government is determined to ensure that anyone with a diabolical or divisive design against India will be dealt with iron fists. It is a Decisive and Bold India under the Modi era.”
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.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 28, 2022
In support of the Central government’s decision, Zainul Abedin Ali Khan is the spiritual head of the Ajmer Dargah. Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti’s Deewan said the action was taken to prevent terrorism and to comply with the law. All should welcome it, he said.
As Khan explained to PTI, the country is bigger than any institution or idea, so if someone talks about breaking it, breaking its unity and sovereignty, or talking about destroying its peace, he does not have a right to live here.
In ‘new India’, terrorists, criminals, criminal organizations, and individuals who threaten the nation’s unity and security will not be accepted, Yogi Adityanath tweeted.
राष्ट्र विरोधी गतिविधियों में संलिप्त पॉपुलर फ्रंट ऑफ इंडिया (PFI) और उसके अनुषांगिक संगठनों पर लगाया गया प्रतिबंध सराहनीय एवं स्वागत योग्य है।
यह ‘नया भारत’ है, यहां आतंकी, आपराधिक और राष्ट्र की एकता व अखंडता तथा सुरक्षा के लिए खतरा बने संगठन एवं व्यक्ति स्वीकार्य नहीं।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) September 28, 2022
Asked about the PFI’s plans in Maharashtra, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde expressed his gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and said it planned to create communal tensions. Deputy Minister Devendra Fadnavis called PFI a “silent killer” and said the decision would empower state governments to take stronger action against the organization. Maharashtra will crack down on all such organizations that indulge in violence and anti-national activities, Fadnavis asserted.
केंद्र सरकारने पॉप्युलर फ्रंट ऑफ इंडिया या संघटनेवर पाच वर्षांकरिता बंदी घालण्याचा निर्णय घेतला आहे. या निर्णयाचे महाराष्ट्र सरकार स्वागत करित आहे.
— Eknath Shinde – एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) September 28, 2022
Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh questioned it, saying the ban wasn’t the answer. In addition to Hindu communalism, RSS is spreading it across the country. There’s no difference between RSS and PFI, so the government should ban them both. What’s the deal with only PFI? he asks.
Jameel Ramesh, Congress’ General Secretary for Communications, says the party has always fought ideological and institutional abuse of religion and polarization of society uncompromisingly.
A statement from Congress said it was against all forms of communalism – majority, minority, it doesn’t matter. Lalu Prasad Yadav said all hate-spreading organizations, including RSS, should be banned. There have been two previous bans on RSS. The RSS was banned for the first time by Sardar Patel,” he tweeted.
PFI की तरह जितने भी नफ़रत और द्वेष फैलाने वाले संगठन हैं सभी पर प्रतिबंध लगाना चाहिए जिसमें RSS भी शामिल है। सबसे पहले RSS को बैन करिए, ये उससे भी बदतर संगठन है।
आरएसएस पर दो बार पहले भी बैन लग चुका है। सनद रहे, सबसे पहले RSS पर प्रतिबंध लौह पुरुष सरदार पटेल ने लगाया था।
— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) September 28, 2022
Though Owaisi has always opposed the Popular Front of India’s approach, he said the ban on the radical outfit cannot be supported. While I have always opposed the PFI’s approach and supported democratic approaches, Owaisi said in a series of tweets that the ban on PFI cannot be supported.
While I have always opposed PFI’s approach and supported democratic approach, this ban on PFI cannot be supported
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) September 28, 2022
According to SDPI’s National President M.K. Faizy, the BJP government’s decision is a direct blow to the Indian Constitution and democracy.
The BJP regime has threatened arrest and raids for anyone speaking out against its wrong and anti-people policies. Against the basic principles of the Indian constitution, the regime has ruthlessly suppressed freedom of expression, protest, and organization. Investigating agencies and laws are being misused by the regime to intimidate and silence the opposition. “The country is clearly experiencing an undeclared emergency,” Faizy was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
