SIMI continuing its clandestine activities: Patil

New Delhi, Aug 2;; Eventhough Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has been banned and cases registered against it, the organisation was continuing its clandestine activities, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil told the house in response to a question by BJP leader S S Ahluwalia that as many as 179 cases had been registered against SIMI by various states and the Delhi Government and were at different stages in the court.

He said the activities of SIMI were under constant watch of law enforcement agencies. However, regarding steps being taken to prevent its subversive activities, he said that since the law and order is state subject, he could not answer about it.

About a supplementary on the role of SIMI in the accident involving Shramjivi Express near Jaunpur, Mr Patil said that since the incident happened in the state, it was the state police handling the case and the Central para military forces had no role in it.

However, Mr Ahluwalia was not satisfied with the reply and said that since the Centre could hold an inquiry into the Godhra train fire through G C Banerjee Committee why the similar inquiry was not ordered in this case as both the incidents involved railways.

He said that since railway was a central subject, the union government should answer it.

Regarding the question whether SIMI had infilterated the educational institution as evident from the Uttar Pradesh Governor refusing the request to set up a Johri Arbi Farsi Vishwavidyalaya, Mr Patil said law and order was a state subject so he would not interfere. Also the communication between the Home Ministry and the Governors could not be revealed in the house as it was not proper.

However, the raising of the question of refusal of grant permission to establish the university evoked strong protests from the Samajwadi Party members who said that the state Governor was not granting permission for many other bills also so why cite this incident only.

UNI

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