CHENNAI: Many Muslim organisations are organising regrouping and protests across the state after being shocked by the early morning raid by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on September 22 against the extremist Islamist outfit Popular Front of India.

In protest against the UAPA's "misuse" by the Central government, the Mainathaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) of Jawaharullah MLA organised protest marches in Chennai and Madurai and declared that the act has no place in a democratic nation.

Demonstrations are also being planned around the state by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the Popular Front of India's (PFI) political wing that is not prohibited. Under the cover of human rights organisations, the Islamist organisations are also organising seminars and discussions around Tamil Nadu, a ruse they previously used in Kerala following the ban on the Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

A few days ago, the SDPI, the Islamic Law Research Council, and a few other organisations came together to form the Islamic Federation of Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore.

The NGO was established to work for the socioeconomic development of the Muslim community in Coimbatore, its office holders told the media. Major intergroup conflicts between Hindu and Islamist movements had occurred in Coimbatore before the February 1998 bombings in that city. L.K. Advani, who was the nation's deputy prime minister at the time, was the target of the bombings. Advani was unharmed, but the explosions resulted in 58 fatalities and more than 200 serious injuries.

It is said that these organisations would emerge in several areas of Tamil Nadu in the days to come and would carry out activities that SIMI used to carry out, such as media seminars, talks on human rights violations, and other things.
The Manithaneeya Makkal Katchi (MMK), the CPI, the CPI-M, and the VCK participated in the protest march, giving it a semblance of respect.

We are keeping a close eye on reports that these organisations are attempting to recruit former ultra-left activists. They will also reportedly invite leaders of left-leaning parties, some Dravidian groupings, and Dalit movements in order to get some semblance of respect from society.

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