By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
Azamgarh: Former president of banned SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India), Dr Shahid Badr has strongly condemned the Congress party for the sixth ban on the group without any proof. Dr Badr termed the continuous ban as ‘worst example of Congress’ terrorism’. The Congress-led UPA Government on Wednesday imposed fresh (sixth) ban on SIMI for two years. The group was banned first time in 2001.
“This is the fourth ban from Congress government and in total sixth ban on SIMI. Even after having been proved in the court that there is no proof of anti-national activity against SIMI, the continuous ban from the Congress government is the worst example of Congress terrorism,” said Dr Badr while talking to TwoCircles.net.
He said the ban without proof is also the worst example of anti-Muslim mindset of Congress party and strengthening his point he said while role of Abhinav Bharat members like Pragya Thakur and Col. Purohit in various terror blasts have been proved, yet their group has not been banned.
“Congress leader Digvijay Singh says he has proof that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists make bombs. Abhinav Bharat members Sadhvi Pragya and Col. Purohit have been found involved in several terror blasts including Mecca Masjid, Malegaon, Samjhauta Express and Ajmer Dargah, and they are in jail but their organization Abhinav Bharat has not yet been banned. Sanatan Sanstha people were caught red hand in Goa blasts, yet their organization was not banned. And while there is no proof against SIMI, Congress is imposing the ban continuously. This is the worst example of anti-Muslim mindset and Congress terrorism,” said Dr. Badr.
Excerpts from the interview:
Why was SIMI banned first time in 2001? What were its activities?
The government could not prove any of the charges it made against us while imposing the ban. There were some false cases against us and meanwhile 9/11 incident gave them a good chance and they imposed ban on us. Even the court has later proved that ban was unjustified and unnecessary.
Since SIMI was banned in 2001, hundreds of Muslim youths have been picked from across the country and they were described as SIMI members and charged in different terror cases. What do you say on it?
The government thinks that whoever once was member of SIMI will remain so for ever. And they have coined different terms like ex-SIMI members, SIMI sympathizer, Pro-SIMI etc. and they have prepared a list of 51 names of organizations and say SIMI is active under these names. In different cases they say that these members offer namaz, do not smoke and do not take dowry so they are SIMI members. What are the social values are being described as sins for SIMI.
In the past you have contested the ban. Will you do the same against this ban?
In August 2008, Justice Geeta Mittal of Delhi High Court tribunal on SIMI ban had said there is no proof against SIMI and so the ban is wrong. Congress went to Supreme Court and secured a stay against the tribunal order. The stay continued for two years and new ban was imposed in February 2010.
We filed affidavit in court then and said that government imposes ban, government constitutes tribunal and appoints judge the same government does not accept tribunal’s order. This means the government has made it an issue of entertainment, but we do not want to be part of this entertainment issue anymore. The August 2008 case is still pending in Supreme Court. We want that SC decide on the issue.