Anis Ahmad

Anis Ahmad, a Popular Front of India leader, arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a draconian terror law.

Background

India’s Hindu nationalist government banned the Popular Front of India (PFI) in September 2022 for five years. Hundreds of PFI leaders, members, and activists were arrested in the widespread crackdown by the federally controlled agencies across 20 Indian states.

The Indian Home Ministry accused the group of ‘radicalising’ a specific community and a major threat to national security. The allegation has been made the central narrative to invoke anti-terror legislation, Unlawful Prevention Activities (UAPA).

Human rights organizations have criticized the restriction, claiming it blatantly violates both the right to free association and federalism. The Hindu Nationalist government has historically suppressed Muslim viewpoints on the grounds of “terror links and national security” by invoking draconian laws.

Life and Activism

Ahmad is the Popular Front of India’s National General Secretary. He is an outspoken critic of Hindu nationalism. He has vehemently opposed various anti-Muslim policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act.

He has supported marginalized communities’ right to assert their identities and political participation to counter the Hindutva’ hegemony’ in politics.

Current Status

Not released yet.

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