New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced on Friday that the Popular Front of India (PFI), a banned terrorist organisation, was attempting to establish an Islamic movement in India through a “jihad” that involved non-violent air raids and “guerrilla theatre,” alongside various forms of cruelty and oppression, news agency PTI reported.
In a statement, the ED revealed that it had frozen new assets worth over Rs 35 crore, which were “beneficially owned and controlled” by the PFI through a network of trusts, companies, and individuals. This action forms part of the agency’s ongoing investigation into the PFI and related entities.
‘True aim of PFI different from what it claims’
The PFI was banned by the Indian government in September 2022 following nationwide raids by the ED, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and state police forces, targeting the organisation’s leaders and facilities. The ED alleged that the true aims of the PFI, which was established in Kerala in 2006 but had its headquarters in Delhi, were different from what its official constitution claimed.
According to the ED, the PFI sought to carry out an Islamic movement in India through jihad, despite presenting itself as a social movement. While the PFI claimed to use non-violent protests, the ED said evidence suggested that its methods were often violent. The agency described some of the PFI’s tactics as preparations for a “civil war”, aiming to create societal unrest through activities such as non-violent air raids, guerrilla theatre (politically charged street performances), and alternative communication systems (non-mainstream media).
The ED also accused the PFI of employing cruel and oppressive methods, including harassing and taunting officials, forming unethical relationships, organising mock funerals, issuing strong prohibitory orders, and promoting sexual abstinence as a form of protest. Additionally, the PFI allegedly engaged in civil disobedience, promoted dual sovereignty (recognising more than one governing authority), created parallel governments, and disclosed the identities of secret agents to undermine India’s unity and sovereignty.
‘PFI provided arms training under the guise of physical education’
The ED also claimed that under the guise of physical education, the PFI provided arms training, teaching both offensive and defensive techniques involving punches, kicks, knives, and sticks. According to the ED, the PFI had planned to form a “terrorist gang” to carry out attacks on sensitive locations and individuals, threatening India’s unity and communal harmony.
The ED also alleged that the PFI conspired to disrupt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Patna in July 2022 and printed “incriminating” literature that posed a threat to India’s sovereignty.
Additionally, the PFI is accused of raising funds domestically and internationally through official banking channels, hawala networks, and donations to support terrorist activities across India. The ED claims the group had over 13,000 active members in Singapore and Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with well-organised district executive committees in the Gulf responsible for fundraising.
