Indian authorities have removed Twitter accounts belonging to the outlawed political organization, PFI, and its leaders.
The Popular Front of India (PFI), an Islamic group, has been restricted by the Indian government, sparking a wave of controversy and criticism. The move has been met with opposition from various political figures, including some who have called for the outlaw of the PFI, but also suggested that the RSS, a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization, should be prohibited as well.
More than 200 PFI leaders have been arrested in raids across India over the past two weeks, according to reports. The probe agencies have claimed to have discovered evidence of the PFI's alleged links with the Islamic State terror group and held arms training schools. Among the alleged evidence presented are a 'bomb-making handbook' and physical education manuals.
The PFI's student wing has announced plans to challenge the ban in court. In a declaration before the ban, the PFI stated that it has been working to prevent youth radicalization and bring them to the mainstream. However, the organization has been accused of promoting radical ideologies and encouraging violence.
Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), a political party based in India, condemned the PFI ban. Owaisi stated that the organization should not be criticized for the crimes committed by 'some people'. He also emphasized that the PFI has never intended to establish Islamic rule in India.
The Congress in Kerala and its coalition partner, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), have called for the outlaw of the PFI. MK Muneer, a senior IUML leader, described the PFI as a radical outfit that misinterprets the Quran and encourages violence. However, the political party known to be politically related to the banned organization has not been explicitly mentioned in the search results.
The Twitter handles of PFI's chairperson, OMA Salam, and general secretary, Anis Ahmed, were also withheld by Twitter. They had just under 50,000 and nearly 85,000 followers, respectively. The Twitter account of the PFI had around 81,000 followers.
A political descendant of the PFI, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), has stated that the ban is a 'challenge' to Indian freedom and the civil liberties assured by the Constitution. The SDPI has not been directly linked to the PFI, but shares similar ideologies.
The PFI ban has received criticism from some political figures, who argue that the move is an infringement on the civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. The controversy continues to unfold as the PFI and its supporters prepare to challenge the ban in court.
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