Syed Sadatullah Husaini, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s (JIH) president, opposed the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) and demanded that the ban be revoked. The JIH President expressed disagreement through a statement to the media which said, “Jamaat-e-Islami Hind expresses disagreement over the government’s decision to ban the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates.”
He said that banning an organisation is neither a solution nor something that suits a democratic society. He said, it is a “clear violation of fundamental rights protected by the Constitution and goes against the democratic spirit and basic civil liberties.” He added, that it is undemocratic and unjustified to ban an organisation on “unsubstantiated and flimsy grounds”
Although many people disagreed with the organization’s stance and JIH had opposed PFI on numerous counts, he claimed that it was not a good enough reason to outlaw the organisation or harass its members.
If an individual breaks law or commits a crime, they should be dealt with in the provisions of law and let courts decide on them where the individuals have a chance to prove their innocence. He added that it is the duty of the Police and administration to maintain law and order in the country.
Mr. Husaini brought attention to certain factions of society- the “fringe and radical groups”, who indulge in hate-mongering and call for violence, who operate with impunity and yet no action is being taken against them.
He stated that the ban appears to be “selective, discriminatory, and biased”. This will heighten the trust deficit between the people and the government, sending a wrong message to the country and demanded the ban on PFI be revoked.
