Students Islamic Movement of India

"The government drew sharp criticism from numerous minority groups for selectively banning the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as part of its post-September 11 actions to counter terrorism while ignoring the ‘anti-national’ activities of right-wing Hindu groups. At least four people were killed when police opened fire on a protest in Lucknow on September 27 following the arrest of some SIMI activists."

"Such political patronage has made the banned Students Islamic Movement of India very strong in Kerala. SIMI operates behind a dozen front organizations, of which at least two are based in the state capital and others are located in strategic places, like the main seaport. The Kerala government officially declared in 2006 that SIMI’s cadres had developed links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba of Pakistan. Police reports indicate that SIMI is operating under the cover of religious study, rural development and research. Some of these organizations are spreading ‘extremist religious ideals’ among the youth of Kerala, under the guise of ‘counseling and guidance centers working for behavioral change’. SIMI is also reported to have established a women’s wing. It receives generous funds from Kuwait and Pakistan."

"As scholar Yoginder Sikand perceptively noted, SIMI's aggressive polemic gave "its supporters a sense of power and agency which they were denied in their actual lives.""