A shot in the arm for PFI, extremist outfits

Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express
13 Aug 2010

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The delay in the arrest of PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madhani is turning out to be a boon to Muslim extremist outfits such as the National Development Front (NDF) / Popular Front of India (PFI) as it has become another opportunity for them to ignite religious sentiments.
It is reliably learnt that scores of NDF/PFI activists and other Muslim extremist outfits have been camping in Anwarsseri from across the state, with the aim of exploiting the highly volatile situation prevailing in the area.
Besides igniting religious sentiments, these organisations aim at influencing ‘like-minded’ organisations by involving themselves in the pro-Madhani campaign, sources told ‘Express’.
“For the NDF/PFI activists, the controversies over the question paper of the Thodupuzha Newman College turned out to be an opportunity to ignite Muslim sentiments and to demonstrate their terrorist face by chopping off the hand of professor T J Joseph.
Now they are making use of the Madhani issue as a platform to implement their hidden agendas,” the source said.
An inordinate delay in sorting out the tense situation prevailing in
Anwarsseri may lead to communal disturbance.
Intelligence sources point out that resentment is brewing among the local residents of Anwarsseri, especially non-Muslims, over the restrictions being imposed by Madhani’s supporters in the locality.
“All vehicles passing through Anwarsseri are being checked by Madhani’s supporters. Even women are not spared. If the situation continues, the chances of organisations such as BJP/RSS resisting it, could not be ruled out. If things go up to that extent, it would even result in communal disturbances in the State,” the source said, reminding that the BJP had already decided to take out a march to Anwarsseri next week.
Moreover, the Karnataka Government could very well put the blame on the Kerala Government for the delay in the arrest of Madhani.
Even if there is further criticism from the court over the delay in the arrest of Madhani, Karnataka would be at a safer position.
The prime concern before the State Government as well as the police is the possibility of law and order problems in the State during the President's visit.
“The force is now focused on the VVIP visit. Hence, if there is any breakdown of law and order, it would be quite difficult to deploy sufficient force,” a senior police officer told Express.