A joint statement issued by activists and intellectuals has stated that the ban imposed by Jharkhand government on Popular Front of India in the state is anti-democratic and demanded that it be revoked immediately.
Jharkhand state government has banned Popular Front of India, in the state under section 16 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908. The press release appeared in the official website of the state chief minister on 20th February 2018 cites as the reason for the ban, the alleged influence of ISIS of Syria/Iraq on some members of the Front in southern states. Since the ban, the activities of the organization are stopped in Jharkhand. But it is reported that our members are being harassed and new cases were registered against some leaders and members alleging continuation of the activities.
A resolution passed by the Central Secretariat meeting of Popular Front of India held at Mysore stated that the ban imposed on the organization by the BJP Government of Jharkhand is intented to eliminate the kind of activism the organization has demonstrated in the state through legal and democratic means against the fascist forces and their government agencies.
Peoples protest rallies were held across India protesting against the ban of Popular Front of India in Jharkhand by the state government. Popular Front activists and general public including women participated in demonstrations held in various states, including Manipur, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
In the context of Popular Front ban by the state government in Jharkhand, M. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the general secretary of the organisation has sent urgent letter to the governor and chief minister urging them to revoke the ban and restrain from targeting and harassing members in the name of ban.
Excerpts from the letter:
It is reported Jharkhand Government has banned Popular Front of India (PFI), in the state under section 16 of the CLA Act, 1908. As the reason for the ban, the Chief Minister of the state has alleged that members of PFI are influenced by the now defunct ISIS. Surprisingly the state government has quoted some unverifiable reports about people who have allegedly gone to Syria.
