On 10 October 2024, the Indian government, under Prime Minister Modi, officially designated the Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) organization as a terrorist group. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated, “In line with PM Modi’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, the MHA has declared Hizb-Ut-Tahrir as a Terrorist Organization.”
The government highlighted that HuT is involved in numerous terror-related activities, including radicalizing impressionable youths to join extremist groups and fund terror operations, thereby posing a significant threat to India’s national security and sovereignty. Shah emphasized the government’s dedication to combating terrorism decisively.
In its official announcement, the Ministry of Home Affairs explained that HuT seeks to establish a global Islamic state and Caliphate, intending to overthrow democratically elected governments through jihad and terror, which undermines India’s democratic framework and internal security. The MHA also noted that HuT is active in radicalizing vulnerable youth to join groups like ISIS and uses social media and encrypted apps to promote terrorism among young individuals.
Ministry of Home Affairs has declared Hizb-Ut-Tahrir (HuT) and all its manifestations and front organisations as terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. pic.twitter.com/Fe6hISPClL
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2024
This ban comes days after arrest of seven individuals from Tamil Nadu and a move that was considering a ban on HuT earlier in 2023 following a bust of its terror module by the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad and its classification by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
NIA’s Investigation into Tamil Nadu Hizb-ut-Tahrir
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Chennai has arrested recently Faizul Rahman, a key suspect and State Amir of Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, marking the seventh arrest in an ongoing investigation into a conspiracy promoting secessionism and anti-India ideology. This case is centered around a plot led by Hameed Hussain and others, aiming to establish a Khilafat by violently overthrowing the Indian government and seeking military support from Pakistan for the liberation of Kashmir.
Rahman is accused of collaborating with other detainees to propagate secessionist views and solicit external military assistance. The NIA’s investigation revealed that he and his associates used social media to spread their extremist propaganda, labeling voting as ‘un-Islamic/haram’ in accordance with Hizb-ut-Tahrir’s beliefs.
Prior arrests included six individuals detained by the Chennai Cyber Crime Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for recruiting for HuT in Royapettah. This group included Dr. Hameed Hussain and several family members. Investigations showed they were utilizing YouTube campaigns to further their recruitment efforts.
Following these developments, the NIA took over the case in July 2024 and conducted raids across multiple locations, seizing various electronic devices and documents linked to Hizb-ut-Tahrir and its ideologies. The ongoing inquiry focuses on the financial activities of the arrested individuals, aiming to trace funds and identify additional potential conspirators.
The National Investigation Agency has carried out searches at the Chennai home of Faizul Rahman, a major suspect in the case. These thorough searches led to the recovery of various incriminating items, including electronic devices and documents.
According to the NIA, the arrested accused from Chennai had been actively involved with other accused in promoting secessionism and seeking military assistance from Pakistan to liberate Kashmir. It also added that a conspiracy was hatched to overthrow the Government of India through violent jihad.
The NIA noted that the conspiracy involved secret meetings to spread the divisive ideology of HuT and carry out several campaigns throughout Tamil Nadu to promote their secessionist agenda.
NIA Searches House of Key Accused in TN Hizb-ut-Tahrir Case pic.twitter.com/KSgAF8NGI5
— NIA India (@NIA_India) October 11, 2024
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