On September 28, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) a banned institution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. This ban came after arrests of more than 100 leaders all over the country followed by protests. The government said that PFI was involved in several criminal and terror cases, and is a major threat to the internal security of the country.

Suno India’s Suryatapa Mukherjee speaks with senior Kerala-based journalist, Shahina KK to understand the origins of the organisation, and the controversies surrounding it. Shahina has won the Chameli Devi Award for outstanding woman journalist in 2011. She is the associate editor of the digital news platform, The Federal.