New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) re-declared Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) as an unlawful organization and prolonged the ban on the terror group.
The restriction has been further extended, starting on July 10, 2024, and lasting five years. In July 2019, the US-based Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) was previously prohibited.
According to the notification cited by PTI, the Home Ministry stated that SFJ was designated as a prohibited organization five years prior under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for anti-national activities endangering the nation’s integrity and internal security.
It added that SFJ seeks to undermine India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is engaged in anti-national and subversive operations in Punjab and other places.
According to the ministry, SFJ is supporting separatist groups fighting for the right to secede from the Union of India, both domestically and internationally, and is encouraging and assisting these groups in their efforts. These actions and declarations are intended to undermine India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Given the role of SFJ in various subversive activities, the Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the ban imposed under UAPA for five years from July 10,” the announcement stated.
(With agency inputs)