The Union government ban on Popular Front of India cannot be supported, said AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi MP.
“While I have always opposed PFI’s approach and supported democratic approach, this ban on PFI cannot be supported,” Owaisi wrote on Twitter.
Union government banned PFI and its associates including Campus Front of India, Rehab India Foundation, All India Imams Council, National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations, National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala.
The organisations are now declared as “unlawful associations” for a period of five years.
“Actions of some individuals who commit crime does not mean that the organisation itself must be banned. SC has also held that mere association with an organisation is not enough to convict someone,” AIMIM chief pointed out, sharing the apex court’s observation.
Owaisi went on to say: “But a draconian ban of this kind is dangerous as it is a ban on any Muslim who wishes to speak his mind. The way India’s electoral autarky is approaching fascism, every Muslim youth will now be arrested with a PFI pamphlet under India’s black law, UAPA.”
“Muslims have spent decades in prison before being acquitted by courts. I have opposed UAPA & will always oppose all actions under UAPA. It runs afoul the principle of liberty, which is part of basic structure of the constitution,” he said.
“How come PFI is banned but organisations associated with convicts of Khaja Ajmeri bomb blasts aren’t? Why has govt not banned right wing majoritarian organisations?” asked Hyderabad MP.
