New Delhi: After days of crackdown and multi-city raids on the Popular Front of India (PFI) leading to arrest of more than 200 of its activists, the Islamist outfit was banned by the Centre on Wednesday. About 8 other outfits affiliated to it were also banned for their alleged anti-national activity. The outfits have been booked under Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act (UAPA).

The radical outfit has long been under the scanner of investigative agencies for its alleged role in instigating organized violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), terror funding and also alleged links with global terror organizations including the ISIS.

What is PFI?

The Popular Front of India (PFI) came into existence in year 2007. It was formed by merging three Muslim organizations – Kerala-based National Democratic Front (NDF), Tamil Nadu-based Karnataka Forum for Dignity and Manitha Neethi Parasai.

The PFI claims that social service for the community and upliftment of the marginalized Muslims are among its top priorities.

Two years after formation of PFI, its political wing took birth as Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). The ban on PFI won’t impact the political outfit because it is a registered political party and supervised by the Election Commission.

Which PFI affiliated organizations banned? 

Other PFI affiliated organizations that were declared illegal and booked under UAPA included Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CF), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Conference of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), Junior Front, Empower India Foundation, National Women’s Front.

Rehab India Foundation

The Rehab India Foundation (RIF) is an associate member of the banned outfit PFI and shares the common chairman.

The outfit grabbed headlines after ED probe revealed its role in mobilization of funds for fuelling anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) stir across the country.

Campus Front of India (CFI)

The Campus Front of India is the student wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI). It was launched in New Delhi in 2009 and its founder is Tamil Nadu-based Muhammad Yusuff.

All India Imams Council

All India Imams Council (AIIC) describes itself as an academic body working towards upliftment of deprived & marginalized class in the Muslim community. Its president Maulana Irfan Daulat Nadvi was arrested this week by Nashik Crime Branch, during the crackdown.

Rehab Foundation, Kerala

The outfit founded in 1991 claims that it works towards upliftment of socially & economically weaker sections of the society. It has been booked under UAPA for alleged involvement in anti-national activity.

What does the PFI ban means?

The ban on PFI makes it an illegal outfit, which must cease to operate from now on. The ban will give a deadly blow to the outfit as it will be crippled of funding, recruitment & other activities.

If anyone deliberately or unintentionally offers to associate with it, he or she may be booked & arrested for terror charges.

The ban also implies that it can’t organize any seminars, webinars, conference, donation drive as the activities will be considered illegal by the state govt.

The bank accounts of the outfit could be attached and the office-bearers will be  most likely restrained from going abroad.