Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Seven years after the September 9 World Trade Center attacks spelt the first ban for Students Islamic Movement of India SIMI, two profiles about the organisation continue to clash 8212; one that of a ghost which 8220;has ceased to exist8221; and the other of a 8220;group of youths and students easily influenced by hard-core Muslim terrorist organisations operating from within the country and abroad8221;. Both profiles came to fore in July 2008 before the Unlawful Activities Prevention Tribunal, comprising Delhi High Court judge, Justice Gita Mittal, set up to decide on the question of a fourth consecutive ban on the SIMI. Probe agencies say Indian Mujahideen, reported to be behind the blasts in Delhi, is a front for SIMI.
The author of the first description about SIMI, Shahid Badar, the organisation8217;s president during the first ban in September 2001, stated on oath before the Tribunal that 8220;SIMI has ceased to exist after the first ban8221;. 8220;SIMI does not endure any illegal or violent activities and has issued strong press statements condemning illegal and violent activities,8221; the organisation says in its affidavit.
The bans have not been 8220;effective8221;, admits the ministry, 8220;It SIMI has supporters in the Gulf countries. It has contacts in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and Nepal. Pakistan-based Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba have successfully penetrated into SIMI cadres.8221;
The ministry quotes information by intelligence agencies of 8220;pan-Islamic linkages of ex-SIMI activists with the LTTE cadres in carrying out militant activities in the country8221; during the years of ban.
8220;Its members being students and youths, SIMI is easily influenced by hardcore Muslim terror organisations operating within the country and abroad,8221; describes the ministry. To counter this Badar8217;s version is that SIMI no longer exists. 8220;It is for this reason that there is no office-bearer or member who could represent the organisation in the litigation and I have appeared in the present proceedings on the basis of having been the past president,8221; he says.
