TOI learns that the SDPI was spared as it is a registered political party, which takes an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India. However, any SDPI member who acts on behalf of PFI or indulges in subversive and anti-national activities or spreads communal hatred, raises funds in dubious ways or tries to radicalize others, shall be subject to action against UAPA including Action will be taken under relevant laws.
In fact, the reading of the MHA’s ban notification opens doors for possible action against possible illegal activities by SDPI leaders and cadres. Giving the names of the eight PFI Fronts, it states, “The Central Government hereby declares the PFI, and its associations or affiliates…”. The word ‘including’ is an indication that the scope of the sanctions extends far beyond the eight ‘designated’ PFI fronts.
Also, given the fact that the SDPI is a registered unrecognized political party, it may election Commission (EC) to take suitable action, possibly with inputs from the Ministry of Home Affairs and based on the sanctions notification.
In fact, the SDPI is already on the Election Commission’s radar for failing to file its contribution reports for 2018-19 and 2019-20 (presumably the contribution was less than Rs 20,000), even though it did not exceed Rs 5 crore. Shown total receipts of more. 3.9 crore in the audited accounts in 2018-19 and 2019-20. In 2020-21, when its contribution was around Rs 2.9 crore, it announced a contribution of only Rs 22 lakh, that too without identifying the donors.
SDPI collected Rs 10 crore out of its total donation of Rs 11.78 crore from Kerala between 2018-19 and 2020-21, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The SDPI on Wednesday described the ban on PFI and its affiliates as a “direct blow to democracy”.