BJP demands white paper on SIMI activities

Stepping up pressure on the Mulayam Singh Yadav government, the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Monday, demanded a white paper on the activities of the outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India in Uttar Pradesh.

"The state government should issue a white paper, informing the people about the steps taken by it against the banned outfit," state BJP chief Kesri Nath Tripathi told PTI.

Tripathi said the government should also tell the people how many cases are pending in the courts against the office bearers of SIMI in the state.

Sharply criticising the government's decision to withdraw cases, including one of treason, against SIMI chief Shahid Badra Falahi pending in a court in Baharaich district, the BJP leader said there was contradiction in the attitude of the governemnt towards the outfit.

"On one hand the chief minister says that SIMI is not active in the state and on the other hand his government takes a decision to withdraw criminal cases," Tripathi said to buttress his contention.

Alleging that the attitude of the government towards the SIMI was protective in nature, he said that the governemnt must make its position clear on this issue.