BJP MP Blames PFI For Violence In Maharashtra, Proposes Ban On The Organisation In The Parliament

PFI is linked to several acts of violence in the country and the demand to ban the organisation is rising after its involvement in Maharashtra violence.

After Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra demanded an inquiry on PFI funding, BJP MP Manoj Kotak proposed a bill to ban the organisation at the parliament on Wednesday (November 1). MP Kothak accused PFI and Raza Academy of planning violence in parts of Maharashtra over the alleged demolition of a mosque in Tripura.

"The matter should be probed, and a ban should be put on organisations like the PFI and Raza Academy," MP Manoj Kotak said in the parliament. 

In an exclusive conversation with Republic later, Manoj Kotak confirmed proposing a ban on organisations like PFI. "What happened in Maharashtra was that Hindus were specifically targeted in Amravati, Nanded and Malegaon in a planned manner. There was no incident in Tripura that was displayed on social media and, according to that, the minorities have come on roads and specifically targeted Hindu establishments," Manoj Kotak said. 

The MP added, "This has been done by PFI and Raza Academy. They have repeatedly been doing these kinds of things, so I demanded in Lok Sabha today the incident should be probed, and the organisations should be banned."

PFI has been linked to many violent acts, and in a recent instance where a BJP RSS worker has been murdered brutally, the name of PFI has been brought up. 

The outfit is under scanner in an investigation related to RSS worker S Sanjith's murder in Palakkad district. The RSS worker was murdered on November 15. The BJP had accused the Social Democratic Party of India, the political wing of PFI, of orchestrating the attack. Amid this, there is a national clamour to ban PFI.

Amid the rising complaints, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said PFI funding should be stopped, and an investigation should be launched to find where the funding is being used.

He said, "In the last few days, a lot of complaints have come against PFI and other organisations on the basis of which we have initiated an inquiry. If in the course of the inquiry, they are found guilty, then strict action will be taken. We have all options open, including banning the organisation. We will make a decision as and when the inquiry is complete." 

The Home Minister spoke about the complaints of PFI receiving funds for conversion. "If the funds are coming from foreign nations, where is it being used? Is it being used in the wrong directions?" the Madhya Pradesh Home Minister asked.