Centre Extends Ban On Students Islamic Movement Of India For Five Years

NEW DELHI: On Monday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced a five-year extension of the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, as stated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Shah emphasized that this decision aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism, categorizing SIMI as an ‘Unlawful Association’ for the next five years under the UAPA.

Bolstering PM @narendramodi Ji's vision of zero tolerance against terrorism ‘Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI)’ has been declared as an 'Unlawful Association' for a further period of five years under the UAPA.
The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism,…
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) January 29, 2024

Elaborating on the rationale behind the extension, Shah highlighted that SIMI has been identified as a source of terrorism, contributing to the disruption of communal peace and harmony.

🚨🚨 Emphasizing a firm stance against terrorism, Home Minister #AmitShah declared on Monday that the Students Islamic Movement of India (#SIMI ) has been labeled an "unlawful association," with the ban extended for an additional 5 years under stringent anti-terror legislation. pic.twitter.com/G4BtL86ESy
— The Quotes (@TheQuotesLive) January 29, 2024

He underscored the organization’s perceived threat to the sovereignty, security, and integrity of Bharat (India).

Established on April 25, 1977, at Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh, SIMI originated as a youth and student organization aligned with the Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind (JEIH).

The group is accused of pursuing the goal of transforming India into an Islamic state. Initially outlawed in 2001, SIMI has faced multiple bans since then, with the most recent ban imposed on February 1, 2019, also for a duration of five years.