Government bans Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates for five years

Tags: National National News

The Central Government has declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates an unlawful association with immediate effect for a period of five years.

Important facts

• The decision comes a day after the police conducted fresh raids in several states and detained more PFI activists.

• In Delhi, 30 people have been detained by raids in Nizamuddin, Rohini district and Shaheen Bagh.

• Last week, the National Investigation Agency and the Enforcement Directorate arrested 106 top PFI leaders and booked them on charges of money laundering and terror financing.

• The PFI and its following affiliates have been banned – Rehab India Foundation, Campus Front of India, All India Imam Council, National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation, National Women Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala.

About Popular Front of India (PFI)

• It was created in 2007 through the merger of three Muslim organisations in southern India.

• These three Muslim organisations are-

1. The National Democratic Front in Kerala,

2. The Karnataka Forum for Dignity, and

3. The Manitha Neethi Pasarai in Tamil Nadu

• It describes itself as a non-governmental organisation and a neo-social movement striving for the empowerment of the marginalised, deprived and oppressed sections of India.

• Its headquarter is at Delhi.

• It merged with various other social organizations and spread to the north, west, east and northeastern states of the country.

• It has various wings such as - women's wing, student wing, political wing, an NGO and a think tank with more than 50,000 members.