Indian lawmakers are voting for president, and the winner may be a tribal woman
NPR Online NewsDec 24, 2022
The Facts
On Wednesday, the Popular Front of India (PFI) announced its dissolution, accepting the government's five-year ban imposed under the 1967 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The Muslim group and its affiliates are accused of involvement in "serious" offenses, "including terrorism and its financing," with India's home ministry claiming to have found evidence of PFI ties with the so-called Islamic State (IS).
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
It’s about time the government took action to prevent the PFI from operating freely because of its long involvement in terror and anti-social activities, including inciting the youth, disturbing public order, and confronting constitutional institutions. This ban stresses to all anti-national groups that they won't be tolerated in India.
Establishment-critical narrative
Once again, the government has breached the basic principles of the constitution, attacking democracy and civil rights by cracking down on freedoms of speech, protest, and association. This ban has nothing to do with terrorism and has everything to do with Modi’s discrimination against Muslims.