Kolkata 2 January: After Uttar Pradesh government recently sought a ban on the Islamic organisation Popular Front of India(PFI) for their alleged involvement in violence across the state during the anti-CAA protests, the Mamata Banerjee government too is trying to distance itself from the organisation, although PFI has claimed that they have contacted Murshidabad TMC MP Abu Taher Khan to join the rally against the CAA on January 5 at Murshidabad.
Taher Khan said: “I have lodged an official complaint with the IC of Behrampore in this regard. I have not received any invitation from the PFI and the organisation has used my name on the posters without my permission. If the outfit is using my name without my consent it is unethical.”
He said that the TMC itself is organising several programmes against the CAA and so there is no need to join hands with other small parties for voicing out protests.
Sources in the state government said that after violence rocked several districts, especially in the Muslim majority districts such as Malda and Murshidabad, chief minister Mamata Banerjee instructed the police to look for the activities of the PFI and collect data about the members of the organisation. It was also reported that the leaders of the organisation in West Bengal were the masterminds behind the violence.
A senior leader of PFI said: “We are organising a rally against the CAA in Murshidabad on January 5 and have invited several speakers including Murshidabad TMC MP Abu Taher Khan. He has given his consent to be part of this protest. I do not know why he had denied about his participation in the programme.”
He added: “We are yet to get permission for the meeting.”
A senior TMC minister however, dismissed the concerns and said , “The Trinamool Congress is not worried about such small groups. We know they are getting support and money from outside forces,”
“We have the support of the people. Our supremo Miss Banerjee , has mentioned in several meetings that the BJP is planning to divide the state. We will fight against such communal divide.”
On the other hand, BJP leaders criticised Banerjee for her alleged links with the banned organisation and claimed that the TMC is only concerned about their votes and so they have joined hands with a banned organisation.
Dilip Ghosh, state BJP president, said: “TMC always supports forces that speaks against the country’s integrity. We have informed the matter to the top leadership and has also sent a report to the Union Home Ministry in this regard.”
PFI banned in Uttar Pradesh.
The Uttar Pradesh Police suspected PFI’s involvement in the state-wide violent protests against the CAA and sought a ban on the outfit.
UP DGP OP Singh had earlier said the state police has written to the Union Home Ministry, seeking a ban on the PFI after its Uttar Pradesh head Wasim and 16 other activists were arrested for allegedly masterminding the violence during anti-CAA protests in the state.
TMC worried over PFI hold in the state as it may divide Muslim vote
Banerjee who wants to consolidate the Muslim votes, does not want that the votes to be divided as the ruling TMC has had the backing of the Muslims in both the 2016 Assembly election as well as 2019 Lok Sabha election. However, with PFI inclusion, Mamata is a bit sceptical and has already alerted the police to look after their activities. But after the CAA violence rocked several parts of the state, Banerjee openly claimed in November that a Hyderabad-based group (without naming AIMIM) is trying to bring radicalism in Muslim politics. She warned the people to be alert against such groups as they are working for the BJP to gather Muslim votes in Bengal. The AIMIM is based in Hyderabad and its chief Owaisi is a four-term Lok Sabha member from the city.
A senior police officer said: “We have not yet decided on banning this organisation, but we are keeping a close watch on its activities.”