Question : BAN ON SIMI

(a) whether the Union Government have imposed ban on the functioning of SIMI in the country;

(b) if so, whether various intelligence agencies have reports on the functioning of SIMI;

(c) if so, the details in this regard;

(d) whether SIMI has its branches in other foreign countries and the members of SIMI have any links with the terrorist groups in Afghanistan;

(e) if so, the details in this regard;

(f) the action taken by the Government in this regard;

(g) whether several weapons and anti-national documents have been seized from various office bearers of SIMI and its offices after imposing ban on this organisation;

(h) if so, the details in this regard; and

(i) the number of SIMI activists arrested during each of the last three years, till date, State-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO)

(a): Yes Sir. The Union Government have banned SIMI under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

(b)&(c): The reports received revealed that the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has been found indulging in activities which are prejudicial to the security of the country and have the potential of disturbing peace and communal harmony and disrupting the secular fabric of the society. In view of this SIMI was declared as Unlawful association under Sub-Section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 on 27th September, 2001. In terms of Sub-Section (1) of Section 5 of the aforesaid Act, Government have constituted `Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal` for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring SIMI as Unlawful association. The matter is before the Tribunal for a decision.

(d)to(f): So far there is no information that SIMI has its branches in foreign countries and its members have links with the terrorist groups of Afghanisatan. However, during their speeches in Ikhwan Conferences some of the SIMI leaders eulogized and glorified Pan Islamic terrorists and fundamentalists like Osama Bin Laden.

(g) to (i): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.