New Delhi: In a significant move, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has empowered states and Union Territory (UT) administrations to combat the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This pivotal decision, announced on Monday, marks a proactive stance by the government in combating threats to national security.
“Whereas, in the exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government declared the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), to be an unlawful association vide notification number S.O. 354(E), dated the 29th January 2024, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section-3, Sub-section (ii), dated the 29th January 2024; Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 42 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby directs that all powers exercisable by it under section 7 and section 8 of the said Act shall also be exercised by the State Governments and the Union territory administrations in relation to the above said unlawful association,” the order issued by the Home Ministry said.
MHA delegates powers to state/UT governments to designate the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as ‘unlawful association’ under UAPA. Centre had recently renewed the ban on SIMI as ‘unlawful association’ under UAPA for five more years. pic.twitter.com/NhNPqNyUIM
— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2024
Renewed Ban On SIMI
The decision comes on the heels of the MHA’s renewal of the ban on SIMI as an ‘unlawful association’ under the UAPA for an additional five years, reaffirming the government’s commitment to curbing extremist activities and preserving communal harmony.
Empowering States, UTs
According to the directive issued by the MHA, all powers previously held exclusively by the central government under sections 7 and 8 of the UAPA will now be wielded by state governments and UT administrations concerning the banned organizations. This decentralization of power underscores the collaborative effort required to address security challenges effectively.
Historical Context
The ban on SIMI dates back to September 27, 2001, with subsequent extensions in 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and most recently, on January 29, 2019. This consistent vigilance reflects the evolving nature of security threats and the government’s unwavering stance against terrorism.
Rationale Behind The Ban
The decision to extend the ban was prompted by SIMI’s continued involvement in terrorist activities aimed at destabilizing peace and communal harmony in the country. With numerous criminal cases registered against the outfit and its members under various sections of the law, including the UAPA, the ban serves as a preemptive measure to safeguard national sovereignty and integrity.
Government’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards terrorism, emphasizing the importance of decisive action in maintaining national security. The extension of the ban underscores the government’s proactive approach to countering threats posed by extremist elements.
Addressing Security Concerns
The notification issued by the MHA highlighted SIMI’s role in several incidents, including a conspiracy to disrupt the Prime Minister’s visit in July 2022. It underscored the urgent need to curb SIMI’s unlawful activities to prevent further disruption of communal harmony and safeguard national security.
Growing Call For Action Against SIMI
Several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, have already recommended declaring SIMI as an ‘unlawful association’ under the provisions of the UAPA, reflecting a unified approach towards combating extremism.
