Opposition bid to discuss ISIS denied; government trying to create divide: Samajwadi Party

The Opposition in the Legislative Council on Monday moved an adjournment motion to discuss the issue of the rising threat from banned terror organisation Islamic State (ISIS) in Maharashtra. However, chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar asked the Opposition to raise the issue under any other rule and rejected the motion. In the Assembly, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi also raised the issue of ISIS, claiming Shiv Sena and BJP are trying to use the issue to create a communal divide. Later, outside the House, he alleged that the latest arrests in Maharashtra in connection with the ISIS are politically motivated.

In the Council, leader of the Opposition Dhananjay Munde raised the issue of the two arrests of alleged ISIS members made by the Maharashtra ATS and Kerala police from Navi Mumbai and Parbhani.

“There are reports that the terror strikes are being planned targeting festive seasons. There is a fear in the public because of this growing threat of ISIS. Therefore, it is a paramount issue and it must be discussed by keeping all other businesses of the House aside,” Mr Munde said while justifying the adjournment motion, which is an extraordinary procedure that can be used for discussing an issue of urgent public importance.

Mr Azmi accused the BJP-led Maharashtra government and the police of “misusing” the ISIS issue to spread “fear” among Muslims. “The government and police are using the ISIS issue to spread fear among Muslims,” Mr Azmi alleged. Referring to a claim by Shiv Sena MLA Rahul Patil that around 100 Muslim youth, suspected to be in touch with ISIS have gone missing from Marathwada, he said the claim should be probed.

The SP MLA tried to raise the issue in the Lower House but wasn’t allowed to do so by the presiding officer. “I am not saying that 100 youths are not missing. But not everyone of them should be linked to ISIS,” he said.