AMN /
New Delhi: Government of India has made it clear that it would not allow Indian nationals to proceed to fight against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. It contended that if it happens it would “directly result in sectarian conflict in India”.
Submitting an affidavit in the Delhi High Court, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it wanted to restrain Indian citizens from travelling to Iraq and Syria to participate in the ongoing conflict there because they could get radicalised and, on their return, indulge in extremist activities in India. “Allowing any sect to take part in the conflict in Iraq/Syria would have had repercussions on other sects in India.
This could directly result in sectarian conflict within India, which is not in the interest of the nation,” the affidavit stated. MHA contended that joining the fight against IS was tantamount to “terrorist activities” and this would “adversely impact friendly relations with the foreign countries”. “Allowing an Indian to go to another country to take part in a conflict would lead to allegations that the Indian govt is promoting terrorism in other countries,” MHA said, adding that the safety of such volunteers would also be at stake.
Citing resolutions adopted by organisations such as the Lucknow-based All India Shia Hussaini Fund and All India Shia Federation, the MHA said it has received credible inputs that these organisations had sought to register volunteers willing to fight against the IS in Iraq and Syria and, therefore, preemptive steps ought to be taken. MHA affidavit was filed in response to a court notice on a PIL by lawyer Mehmood Pracha.
He had challenged a decision to issue a look-out-circular against him and other members of Shia organisation Anjuman-e-Haideri. According to Pracha’s petition, delegation intended to travel to Iraq on a humanitarian mission, but was stopped from boarding a flight in November last year and their passports were endorsed “offloaded”.