Centre Extends Ban on SIMI for Another 5 Years

New Delhi: Union Home Ministry on Monday extended the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for another five years. SIMI is alleged to be involved in fomenting terrorism and disturbing peace and communal harmony in the country.

In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Bolstering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of zero tolerance against terrorism, SIMI has been declared as an ‘Unlawful Association’ for a further period of five years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).”

“The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony to threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of Bharat,” Shah said.

SIMI was first banned in 2001 during the Atal Bihar Vajpayee government. Since then ban on SIMI has been extended every five years.

In a notification, the home ministry said SIMI is disrupting the secular fabric of the country by polluting the minds of the people by creating communal disharmony, propagating anti-national sentiments and escalating secessionism by supporting militancy and undertaking activities which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country.