Protests erupt in southern states over NIA raids on PFI, SDPI leaders; many detained

According to the preliminary information available, the NIA, along with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has been conducting searches against PFI and SDPI functionaries over alleged “terror funding, organising training camps and radicalising people to join proscribed organisations”.

The large-scale raids and arrests by the central agencies triggered widespread protests by members and supporters of the two organisations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

SDPI-PFI react to raids, arrests

In a statement, SDPI National President MK Faizy said that the Union government led by the BJP was trying to create a “shadow enemy of the country” to cover up its failure in governance. He termed the BJP-run Union government a “craven fascist regime”.

ED/IT raid at the SDPI office in Coimbatore is part of the RSS government agenda to intimidate and stifle the opposing voices. The fascists shall certainly fail in this exercise. @sdpofindia pic.twitter.com/h9iBh2YzsF

— MK Faizy (@MKFaisy) September 14, 2022

Claiming that the raids were an attempt to stifle dissenting voices in the country, Faizy said that the SDPI and PFI were being targeted because it had taken up the role of the “opposition” in challenging the “undemocratic, divisive politics of the Hindutva fascists that is leading the country into peril”.

“If the RSS-led fascist regime is dreaming about oppressing the dissenting voices by such show-off of raids and arrests, it will remain a dream only. The unjust raids and arrests will be resisted using people’s agitations.”

Likewise, the PFI termed the raids and arrests of its leaders a “witch-hunt”.

“NIA’s baseless claims and sensationalism are solely aimed at creating an atmosphere of terror. Popular Front will never ever surrender on any scary action by a totalitarian regime using the central agencies as its puppets and will stand firm on its will for recovering the democratic system and spirit of the Constitution,” a statement issued from Delhi read.

The state units of SDPI and PFI, too, held press conferences and issued statements over the NIA searches and arrests, echoing similar views.

Protests break out

At several locations raided by the NIA and ED, members of PFI and SDPI gathered in large numbers to register their protest against what they believe is a “political vendetta” against the organisations by the BJP and RSS.

In Kannur, Kerala, PFI activists blocked the national highway to mark their protest against the detention of fellow functionaries and leaders.

According to the Kerala unit of PFI, their Chairman OMA Salam, National Secretary VP Nassaruddin, state President CP Muhammed Bashir and National Executive Member Prof P Koya were among the 22 leaders who were taken into custody by the NIA.

Similarly, a demonstration was also staged outside the NIA office in Kochi. Security has been stepped up outside the office premises.

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka protests

PFI activists protesting the NIA raids in Kalaburgi, Karnataka on Thursday, 22 September. (Supplied)

In Tamil Nadu’s Madurai, sloganeering and protests broke out as the NIA raided the residence of one of PFI’s national executive committee members.

Protesters were also seen arguing with the local cops stationed at the location to provide security to the raiding team.

Even in Chennai, members of the organisation held a protest outside the PFI office and chanted slogans of “Go back NIA” and “get out NIA”. Many more such protests have been called through the course of the day at multiple locations across the city.

NIA transit remand petition copy of one of the PFI members who was picked up from Bengaluru. (South First)

Security has also been heightened outside the NIA branch office in the city.

In Karnataka, Mangaluru witnessed massive protests by PFI and SDPI members at Nelikai road.

“Go back NIA” slogans were raised by the protestors, who were later detained by the cops. Agitations were also held at Richmond Town and Tannery Road in Bengaluru. No incidents of violence or lathi charge were reported.

Meanwhile, the NIA transit remand petition copy of Yasir Arafath, one  PFI member picked up from Bengaluru, said that the Central Government has credible information that  the PFI members are “conspiring and raising or collecting funds from within India and abroad for committing or getting committed, terrorist acts in various parts of India.”

The petition copy also said that the NIA has information that the accused are involved in providing training to the members and others to commit terrorist acts, promoting enimity among different groups and causing communal disharmony in the society through social media and other platforms.”

Outside the residence of Abdul Waris, SDPI leader in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool, supporters claimed that the raids were a means to threaten SDPI and PFI by the BJP government.

“You can raid the house of every member of ours. You will not get anything. You will only get slogans against you… We will not allow you to succeed in your aims to throttle the Muslims of this country,” a supporter outside Waris’ house was heard speaking on camera.

In Telangana, the PFI office in Hyderabad was locked and sealed by the NIA officials. A notice pasted outside the office read, “The owner of the premise may contact the honourable NIA special court at Hyderabad before opening the seal.”

The NIA officials reportedly seized pen drives, computer hard disks, flags of the organisation, literature, and other documents during the raids.

The NIA also raided the offices in LB Nagar, Autonagar and one office in Karimnagar.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director General of NIA Dinkar Gupta and other top officials to take stock of the NIA searches on PFI and SDPI members across the country.

(With inputs from SNV Sudhir in Vijaywada, Sumit Jha in Hyderabad, Sreerag PS in Kochi and Bellie Thomas in Bengaluru)