Students Islamic Movement of India

The Students' Islamic Movement of India (abbreviated SIMI) is a banned organisation that was formed in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, in April 1977. The stated mission of SIMI is the ‘liberation of India’ by converting it to an Islamic land.[1] The SIMI, an organisation of extremists has declared Jihad against India, the aim of which is to establish Dar-ul-Islam (land of Islam) by either forcefully converting everyone to Islam or by violence.[1] The Indian government describes it as a terrorist organisation, and banned it in 2001, shortly after the 9/11 attacks. The ban was lifted in August 2008 by a special tribunal, but was reinstated by K.G. Balakrishnan, then Chief Justice, on 6 August 2008 on national security grounds. SIMI's ideology and its objectives create fear and resentment among the people of India.

Quotes

 * The government drew sharp criticism from numerous minority groups for selectively banning the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as part of its post-September 11 actions to counter terrorism while ignoring the ‘anti-national’ activities of right-wing Hindu groups. At least four people were killed when police opened fire on a protest in Lucknow on September 27 following the arrest of some SIMI activists.
 * Human Rights Watch. 2002 Annual Report on Human Rights Developments in India (HRW)..


 * Such political patronage has made the banned Students Islamic Movement of India very strong in Kerala. SIMI operates behind a dozen front organizations, of which at least two are based in the state capital and others are located in strategic places, like the main seaport. The Kerala government officially declared in 2006 that SIMI’s cadres had developed links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba of Pakistan. Police reports indicate that SIMI is operating under the cover of religious study, rural development and research. Some of these organizations are spreading ‘extremist religious ideals’ among the youth of Kerala, under the guise of ‘counseling and guidance centers working for behavioral change’. SIMI is also reported to have established a women’s wing. It receives generous funds from Kuwait and Pakistan.
 * Quoted from Malhotra, R., Nīlakantan, A. (Princeton, N.J.). (2011). Breaking India: Western interventions in Dravidian and Dalit faultlines