India: Muslim Group PFI Disbands After Government Ban

    Image copyright: PTI [via India TV News]

    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.


    Establishment split

    CRITICAL

    PRO

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