Author: Our Special Correspondent
Publication: The Telegraph
Date: September 30, 2001
The government may have used the
Osama card to push through the ban on the Students' Islamic Movement of
India, but the real reason appears to be the organisation's covert connections
with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.
Intelligence sources said the government
was afraid that the ISI might have use certain elements within Simi to
foment trouble in the country.
While they admit that the ban can
send wrong signals in the country and abroad, it was better to play safe
at this juncture.
The Terai region in Uttar Pradesh
is regarded by these agencies as a hotbed for ISI activities. With Assembly
elections scheduled in the state, the atmosphere is already volatile. The
entire state could erupt in flames if communal passions are fanned.
North Block officials said while
it was not fair to club all members of Simi together, there was a small
section which the ISI could influence.
There was much debate within the
government about the timing of the ban. But finally it was felt that the
Centre must go ahead with this. Even now, some within the government believe
the ban should not have been imposed.
This section feels the government
could have cracked down on the potentially dangerous section instead of
banning the whole outfit.
But it was finally decided that
an overall ban would be better than going after the few culprits. The organisation
could then use its resources to make the point that India was harassing
its minority students.
Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral
wants the Centre not to wait for the prescribed 30 days before presenting
its arguments to the tribunal. The government claims to have enough hard
evidence against Simi. "Let them present it fast," he said.
"I would suggest to the government
that it keep in mind that interested parties can fan already inflamed feelings.
All evidence collected should be placed before the tribunal so that a decision
is taken quickly. If there is enough evidence to ban Simi, no one can raise
questions. In case there is not enough proof, the ban can be lifted,''
Gujral said.
150 activists arrested
The nationwide crackdown on the
outlawed Simi continued for the second day with over 150 activists being
arrested today, taking the total number to 450, reports PTI from New Delhi.
However, secretary-general Safdar
Nagori and some state-level leaders remained elusive as bank accounts of
some its units were frozen.
Offices of the radical outfit, banned
on Thursday, were sealed across the country amid reports that some of its
leaders had gone underground to evade arrest. No incidents of violence
were reported today.
