Six individuals, including a former honorary professor of Anna University, have been arrested in Chennai for allegedly brainwashing youths and recruiting them for terrorist organizations. The arrests have uncovered shocking information during interrogation.
The arrests center around the ‘Modern Essential Education Trust,’ located on Johnny Jahan Khan Street in Royapettah, Chennai. The trust, run by Hamid Hussain, who holds an honorary doctorate, had been under police surveillance following a series of complaints.
The three men were arrested and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Based on information provided by Hamid Hussain, additional arrests were made: Mohammed (35), Nawaz Sharif alias Javed of Kamarajapuram, and Ahmed Ali of Tondiarpet.
Complaints against the trust alleged that it was indoctrinating youths with terrorist ideologies and recruiting them for terrorist organizations. It was also reported that secret meetings were being held under the guise of religious teachings. These allegations led to intensified surveillance of Hamid Hussain and his trust.
During raids in Royapettah, Tondiarpet, and Tambaram, police discovered digital documents linked to the Hamid Hussain Foundation. Intelligence services also gathered significant information. Following this, the Chennai Central Crime Branch’s cybercrime police raided the trust.
Interrogation of Hamid Hussain, his father Ahmed Mansoor, and brother Abdul Rahman revealed their involvement with Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUD), an international organization. The trio were found to be brainwashing and recruiting youths for Hizb-ut-Tahrir. Hamid Hussain, who was an honorary professor at Anna University and had received an honorary doctorate, also runs a YouTube channel where he speaks against Indian elections and promotes Khilafat ideology.
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Law enforcement and intelligence sources have disclosed that Abdur Rehman, one of those arrested, used social media to spread videos advocating for Caliphate rule and opposing democratic elections. In one video, he claims, “Allah says you have been created by me and you (Muslims) are the best society in the world. That means you should fight against evil to protect the good. In today’s world, anything other than Islam is considered evil. Islam is the harbinger of goodness.”
Rehman further stressed that Islam should be presented not just as a religion but as a comprehensive ideology and way of life, suggesting that Islam provides solutions to societal issues and is fit to lead the world. He implied that anything outside of Islam is harmful to society.
In another instance, Hamid Hussain’s group shared a Jihadi speech by Hussain Mnbayee, asserting, “Allah will tolerate all sins and atrocities, but anyone who violates the hadith or opposes Islamic tenets will face destruction, whether an individual, family, group, society, nation, or the entire world.”
Intelligence reports also revealed that Ahmed Mansoor, Hamid Hussain’s father, published a Hizb-ut-Tahrir propaganda book compiling sixty hadiths about establishing a Caliphate. The book, promoted by Hizb-ut-Tahrir supporters, was published by Classic Publishers, owned by Mansoor.
Authorities in Chennai arrested three individuals associated with Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) following raids in Tambaram and North Chennai. The arrests targeted Mohammed, Kadar Nawaz Sherif alias Javid, and Ahmed Ali. Mansoor, involved in clandestine meetings across Chennai to promote HuT’s ideology, is believed to have played a key role. The group advocates for an Islamic State Caliphate and Sharia law, aiming to overthrow non-Islamic governments, including in India. This is the first instance of HuT sympathizers being arrested by Indian authorities.
Officials noted that the arrested individuals were part of a covert, intellectually driven team, previously unknown, which propagated against democratic processes, deeming elections and democracy “haram” (forbidden) under Islamic law. Hamid Hussain has also posted YouTube videos promoting these ideologies, while his father organized private meetings to spread the message. Hussain, holding a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering and teaching at colleges, initially translated Zakir Naik’s preachings into Tamil, gaining traction in closed meetings.
The police confirmed that the arrests were based on evidence of the group’s anti-democratic propaganda, declaring elections and democracy as forbidden by Islamic law. Hizb ut-Tahrir, banned in 32 countries and founded in 1953, seeks to establish a caliphate under Islamic law and has been accused of promoting terrorism. In January, Britain designated HuT a proscribed terrorist group, likening it to Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
ராயப்பேட்டையில் சத்தமில்லாமல் கூட்டம்… அண்ணா பல்கலை. முன்னாள் பேராசிரியர் அதிரடி கைது… பின்னணியில் அவ்வளவும் பயங்கரம்.. #Chennai | #Royapettah | #ModernEssentialEducationTrust | #TNPolice | #TNGovt pic.twitter.com/ivog3ursKP
— Polimer News (@polimernews) May 25, 2024
With inputs from Organiser
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