SIMI was first banned in September 2001 and has seen its prohibition extended repeatedly by the government
The Indian government, in a decisive move to combat terrorism, has extended the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India for an additional five years. This decision, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, reinforces the nation’s commitment to maintaining peace and security.
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In a statement released on X, Amit Shah emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
“Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji, the SIMI has been declared an ‘unlawful association’ for a further period of five years under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act),”
Shah stated. He highlighted its involvement in fostering terrorism, disturbing communal harmony, and posing a threat to India’s sovereignty and integrity.
SIMI, first banned in September 2001, has seen its prohibition extended repeatedly by the government. The organization, which underwent a split in 2005, has been a significant concern for central intelligence agencies. The split resulted in a moderate faction led by Shahid Badr Falahi and a more radical group under Safdar Nagori.
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The influence of SIMI has been far-reaching, with its leaders, including Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal, now based in Pakistan, forming the Indian Mujahideen (IM) in collaboration with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) to execute attacks in India. It has provided logistical support for these operations.
An unnamed official detailed their activities, stating,
“SIMI leaders have organized key meetings and training camps, vowing to retaliate against perceived injustices against Muslims. Led by IM leader Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Tauqeer, SIMI members independently carried out attacks, targeting locations like PM Narendra Modi’s rally in Patna, the Bodhgaya temple, and various sites across Chennai, Bangalore, and Roorkee between 2007 and 2013.”
Despite the ban, its operatives have been active in several Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala, and Karnataka. The Popular Front of India (PFI), banned in September 2022, also had significant recruitment from former members.
The latest extension of the ban comes with strong recommendations from the governments of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. The notification issued stated that lifting the ban would allow the organization to continue its subversive activities, disrupt India’s secular fabric, propagate anti-national sentiments, and escalate secessionism by supporting militancy.
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