The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday declared Hizb-Ut-Tahrir (HuT), a global pan-Islamic group set up in Jerusalem in 1953, and all its manifestations and front organisations as terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
The ministry said that the outfit was involved in various acts of terror, including radicalising the gullible youths to join terrorist organisations and raise funds for terror activities, posing a serious threat to the national security and sovereignty of India.
With the latest announcement, HuT becomes the 45th organisation to be included in the UAPA's First Schedule.
A notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs said, "'Hizb-Ut-Tahrir (HuT)' is an organisation which aims to establish Islamic state and Caliphate globally including in India by overthrowing democratically elected Governments through jihad and terrorist activities by involving citizens of the country, which is a grave threat to the democratic setup and internal security of the country."
The HuT is involved in radicalisation and motivation of gullible youth to join terrorist organisations, such as ISIS and raising funds for terror activities, the MHA said.
The Hizb-Ut-Tahrir is promoting terrorism by using various social media platforms, secure apps and by conducting Dawah meetings to encourage gullible youth to indulge in acts of terrorism, it added.
All About Hizb-ut-Tahrir And Its Plans In India
The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday arrested a key accused in the Tamil Nadu Hizb-ut-Tahrir case related to spreading disaffection and secessionism by promoting the ideology of the anti-India outfit. A total of seven accused were arrested by the NIA so far in the case.
The NIA had alleged the arrested accused were actively engaged for propagating secessionism and seeking military assistance from Pakistan to liberate Kashmir.
The ulterior motive of the conspiracy was to establish Khilafat by overthrowing the government of India by waging violent Jihad, the NIA alleged.
The HuT, founded in 1953, is an international pan-Islamic group with a long-term goal of establishing a caliphate rule under Islamic law. The group's headquarters is in Lebanon and it operates in at least over 30 countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia.
The HuT has a history of praising and celebrating attacks against Israel and Jews more widely. Several countries have banned HuT for their subversive activities. Those countries which already banned the group include Germany, Egypt, the UK and several Central Asian and Arab countries.