Ban all such outfits

Sir, - It appears that the ban on SIMI is timed with surgical precision to take advantage of the sentiment against Islamic fundamentalism floating in the air.

The announcement that the Home Ministry has `sufficient evidence' to prove that SIMI has links to Al-Qaeda (Sept. 29) is ludicrous. It would have been more credible if it were linked to the ISI of Pakistan, not the Al-Qaeda.

If ideological affiliations are alone used to prove actual complicity in acts of terror against humanity, the Government will end up banning practically all minority organisations.

If the Government does have bona fide intentions of ridding our society of fundamentalist forces the ban is indeed a welcome step. And it should logically be the precursor to the banning of all fundamentalists, of all communities. But that does not appear to be the case. One must not forget that this is the same Home Ministry which has been consistently giving `clean chits' to countless harbingers of terror of the saffron variety.

The specious argument that Hindu fundamentalism is in the national interest and Islamic fundamentalism is anti-national is nothing but Gobbelsian doublespeak. The Government should now go ahead and ban all outfits that endanger communal amity in the country.

Rinu Jacob,

Hyderabad

Sir, - The Government should first have secured genuine evidence and then taken action against leaders if they had indulged in anti-national activity. By imposing the ban on the SIMI, it is vitiating the atmosphere.

The great surprise is that those who burn the Koran, demolished the Babri mosque, plan and execute communal riots, attack Christian schools and nuns, communalise education, attack valentine and new year day celebrations and Mr. M.F. Hussain's paintings, ransacked Ms. Deepa Mehta's sets, etc. get patronage, help and praise. Hundreds of judicial commissions set up in the past have pointed the finger at these fascist and communal organisations but no action has been taken so far.

Mahfooz Alam,

Patna

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