Supreme Court Upholds Ban on SIMI, Refuses to Entertain Plea Challenging Extension

The Supreme Court of India has refused to entertain a petition seeking to lift the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), effectively allowing the prohibition on the organization to continue for another five years. The petition was filed by Humam Ahmed Siddiqui, a former member of SIMI, challenging the decision of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, which had upheld the central government's extension of the ban earlier this year.

The central government, on January 29, 2024, announced the extension of the ban on SIMI for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. This decision came after a formal assessment by the tribunal, which concluded that the organization still posed a threat to national security. SIMI, which has long been accused of promoting radical ideologies and being linked to terrorism-related activities, was first banned in 2001 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government.

This recent petition attempted to challenge the legal basis of the continued ban, arguing that the organization has been unfairly targeted and that its ideological stance does not justify such prolonged suppression. However, the apex court dismissed the plea, signaling its agreement with the government’s security concerns and the tribunal's findings.

The origins of SIMI date back to April 25, 1977, when it was founded at Aligarh Muslim University. Initially formed as a student and youth-focused movement influenced by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JEIH), the group officially severed ties with JEIH in 1993, declaring itself fully independent. Over time, SIMI attracted controversy for its increasingly radical positions and alleged links to extremist networks.

Following the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States, the Indian government aligned with global counter-terrorism efforts, strengthening internal security laws and banning organizations considered a threat to national integrity. SIMI has remained one of the most scrutinized and heavily restricted groups under these measures.

With the Supreme Court’s latest decision, the ban on SIMI remains firmly in place until at least 2029, reaffirming the government’s stance on combating extremism and safeguarding national security through legal instruments like the UAPA.