BJP leader Savio Rodrigues, in a social media post, has appealed to the NIA and the Goa Police to continue to remain vigilant on the activities of the Popular Front of India (PFI). The PFI has been banned by the Indian government for a period of five years.
Rodrigues claimed, “PFI in Goa has been over the years receiving tacit support from politicians and minority religious institutions”. He further added, “PFI was banned because it was working against the interest of India in particular national security. PFI has not been banned because it is a Muslim organisation as propagated by some with vested interests to stir communal interests”.
Urging the intelligence agencies to track the financial trail, Rodrigues said, “The investigative agencies must follow the financial trail and track PFI, PFI-linked NGOs directly, and the NGOs which have supported PFI activities in the state”.
Rodrigues further appealed to the Muslims in Goa, not to fall prey to the propaganda, and stated, “PFI is nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing and did not work in the interest of the Indian Muslims”.
Recently too, as part of the nationwide crackdown on the organization after which the ban of PFI was announced, 29 members of the outfit were arrested by the Goa police, and most of them were from South Goa. Nevertheless, while all of them were produced before the sub-magistrate, they were left after taking personal bonds. Interestingly, 2 of the PFI members were politically active in their respective areas as well.
