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{{Expert needed|Islam|ex2=Politics|date=July 2010}}
{{POV check|date=July 2010}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
[[File:Flag of the Popular Front of India.svg|thumb]]
The '''National Development Front (NDF)''' was a Non-Sunni Muslim organisation set up in [[Kerala]]. It was established in [[India]] in 1994 and merged with [[Popular Front of India]] in 2006 and stated that its objective was to "focus on socio-economical issues of minorities giving a focus to [[Islam in India|Kerala Muslims]] in Kerala".<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/apr/30keral.htm ''The Jihad Within''], [[Rediff.com]].</ref><ref>[http://www.insaf.net/pipermail/sacw_insaf.net/1999/000008.html The Muslim Rightwing in Kerala] M G Radhakrishnan ''[[India Today]]'', 15 February 1999</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/america/2007/07/a_kerala_professor_praises_ter.html |title=A Professor Praises Terrorism |author= Amar C. Bakshi |date=20 July 2007 |work=The Washington Post |access-date=16 February 2011}}</ref>

NDF announced a plan to adhere to the ''[[dawah|dawa]]'' (missionary work) of aggressively propagating Islam among other communities. P. Koya, NDF supreme council member, wrote an article in ''Thejas'', the organisation's magazine, magazine, that "many Muslim organisations hold the view that ''dawa'' work is fundamental to Muslims. But the same organisations pay scant attention to the work".<ref>[http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20080505213656&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0 'Major Muslim outfits not good missionaries' – Newindpress.com]</ref>

The slogan of the NDF is ''Swathantryam – Neethi – Surakrsha'' (Freedom - Justice - Security).
{{Islam}}
== History ==
Inspired by pan-Islamic reactionary movements across the country after 1992, the NDF gained a firm footing in the [[Malabar (Northern Kerala)|Malabar]] region after the proscription of the Islamic Sevak Sangh (ISS) organisation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/jul/28isi.htm |title=Rediff.com |publisher=Rediff.com |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> Kerala police alleged that the National Development Front (NDF) is another re-incarnation of the ISS.<ref>[http://www.idsa.in/publications/stratcomments/VinodKumar220806.htm IDSA Strategic Comments:: Is Kerala Emerging as India's New Terror Hub? ::] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712222907/http://www.idsa.in/publications/stratcomments/VinodKumar220806.htm |date=12 July 2007 }}</ref> NDF actively publicized its claim to «represent the rights of minorities».<ref name="Campaign">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/21/stories/2005122112160300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001061854/http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/21/stories/2005122112160300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2007 |title=NDF Minorities Campaign |date=21 December 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.humanrightskerala.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 CHRO Website]</ref>

The National Development Front has 19 Supreme Council members. Among them is Prof P. Koya who was also one of the founding members of the [[Students Islamic Movement of India]] (SIMI).<ref>{{cite news| url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/america/2007/07/a_kerala_professor_praises_ter.html | work=The Washington Post | title=A Professor Praises Terrorism | access-date=19 May 2010}}</ref>

In 1997 NDF conducted the National Human Rights Conference in [[Kozhikode]]. Based on discussions and understanding, a new organisation was formed called [[Confederation of Human Rights Organisation]] (CHRO).<ref name="CHRO">[http://www.humanrightskerala.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=4 NDF in ties with Confederation of Human Rights Organisations]</ref> NDF worked closely with journalists associated with Thejas [[Mukundan C Menon]] and the CHRO, who is closely tied to [[Human Rights Watch]] International.<ref>[http://www.humanrightskerala.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4341&Itemid=5 HRW Report]</ref>

[[File:Kerala parade 1.jpg|thumb|NDF Freedom Parade 2006]]
The NDF conducted Parades with the slogan "Be the sentinel of freedom"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/16/stories/2005081609430400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427130211/http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/16/stories/2005081609430400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 April 2007 |title=''Be the sentinel of freedom |date=16 August 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> in major cities of Kerala in 2004, 2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ndfindia.com/content/view/111/56/ |title=Freedom Parade 2005 |publisher=Ndfindia.com |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> and in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/16/stories/2005081609430400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427130211/http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/16/stories/2005081609430400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 April 2007 |title=NDF Freedom Parade Report from |date=16 August 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> The parades became one of the regular activities on the [[Indian Independence Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/16/stories/2005081610450300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060909092606/http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/16/stories/2005081610450300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 September 2006 |title=Indian Independence Day Activities in Kerala |date=16 August 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref>

NDF is in coalition with [[Popular Front of India]] and co-operated in the [[Empower India Conference]], which was held at Bangalore in February 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/18/stories/2007021820880100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220172047/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/18/stories/2007021820880100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 February 2007 |title=Create broad-based alliance of all oppressed sections |date=18 February 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref>

In 2012, the NDF conducted different movements, demonstrations, rallies and other democratic strikes to protest against police brutality and government abuse,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/07/stories/2006110702230300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001050610/http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/07/stories/2006110702230300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2007 |title=Widespread protests against death sentence |date=7 November 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> claim more working rights in government employment,<ref name="Reservation_rally">{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/02/10/stories/2004021001860500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202182929/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/02/10/stories/2004021001860500.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2 December 2007 |title=NDF to take out ''black march'' |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> implement [[Reservation in India|reservation]] and allowances for the [[Backward classes|backward communities]] (OBC) to bring them up to the level of mainstream society, and overall enforce the rights of OBC minorities by forcing the government and its agencies to help the downtrodden in Indian society.

In 2012, the NDF was also involved in helping tsunami victims of Kerala and Tamil Nadu by providing necessities and shelter, and providing food and drinks to the victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/29/stories/2004122915140300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041231123237/http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/29/stories/2004122915140300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2004 |title=Relief activities in progress |date=29 December 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref>

== Criticism ==
The NDF was accused of being a [[Communalism (South Asia)|communal]] outfit and members of the organisation were implicated in violent incidents such as the [[Marad massacre|2002 2nd Marad massacre]].<ref>R. Krishnakumar, ''Marad shocks'', Frontline (magazine), Volume 23, Issue 20, 7–20 October 2006 accessed at {{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2320/stories/20061020003810600.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-02-09 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112093108/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2320/stories/20061020003810600.htm |archive-date=12 January 2009}} 29 December 2006</ref> The Thomas P Joseph Commission report found that "activists of IUML and NDF, a Muslim outfit, were actively involved in the massacre".<ref name="I">[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2032620.cms Marad massacre: Kerala govt for CBI probe] Times of India – 27 September 2006</ref> The State secretary of the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] in Kerala, [[Pinarayi Vijayan]], said that NDF was involved in the [[Marad massacre]] and referred to them as a "terrorist outfit" that executed a "planned mass murder".<ref>[http://pd.cpim.org/2003/0511/05112003_kerala_marad.htm UDF Slept As Marad Burned], by Aboo Backer, ''CPI(M) weekly''</ref> NDF was blamed for inciting violence against moderate Muslims in Kerala who are in opposition to liberal and reformist Islamic movements and individuals.<ref name="CC">{{cite journal |url=http://www.sabrang.com/cc/comold/march99/cover.htm |journal=[[Communalism Combat]] |title=The enemy within |date=March 1999 |access-date=21 March 2012}}</ref> The "involvement of fundamentalists and terrorists" was behind the incident.<ref name="I" /><ref name="CC"/>

The [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) put forward allegations that NDF maintains links with Pakistan's ISI.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/20/stories/2005052011570400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050525214102/http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/20/stories/2005052011570400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=25 May 2005 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=BJP seeks inquiry into NDF-ISI links | date=20 May 2005}}</ref> The [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] sought an inquiry into NDF-ISI links.<ref>The Hindu – 20 May 2005</ref> The [[Indian National Congress]] (who are politically opposed to the BJP) raised doubts about the true nature of their activities. On 31 October 2006, the Congress launched a campaign against terrorism in Malappuram district in Kerala, simultaneously taking on parties and organisations such as the IUML, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the NDF, and the People's Democratic Party (PDP).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184747/http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/01/stories/2006110101850400.htm Congress' anti-terrorism campaign in Malappuram],''The Hindu''</ref>

=== Foreign connection ===
Ms Neera Rawat IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, deposed before the Marad Judicial Inquiry Commission of Justice Thomas P. Joseph. Her tenure as [[Kozhikode]] City Police Commissioner was from 22 March 1997 to 16 May 1999. She told the Inquiry Commission that the police had prepared confidential and authentic reports that ISI and [[Iran]] have funded the NDF.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/14/stories/2005051402780700.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001065040/http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/14/stories/2005051402780700.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=1 October 2007 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=ISI, Iran funded NDF: Rawat | date=14 May 2005}}</ref>

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Special Branch, [[Ernakulam]], A.V. George, also deposed before the Marad inquiry panel on 29 October 2005, and stated that a key witness in an illegal arms possession case had given a statement to the police during its investigation that the NDF had been receiving crores of rupees from foreign countries to carry out its training programmes. ACP George quoted the testimony made by arrested NDF cadres that the NDF had been sending people to Pakistan for the last several years.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/30/stories/2005103005910600.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108111120/http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/30/stories/2005103005910600.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 January 2008 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=NDF received aid from foreign countries | date=30 October 2005}}</ref>

==== Kottakkal Police station attack ====
Police accused that NDF activists attacked the Kottakkal police station at Kottakkal in [[Malappuram]] district in the early hours of 23 March 2007 following the arrest of two senior leaders of the front. The attack was repulsed by the Police and 27 activists were taken into custody.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/23/stories/2007032314290400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212110839/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/23/stories/2007032314290400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 February 2008 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=NDF activists attack Kottakkal police station; 27 arrested | date=23 March 2007}}</ref>

==== Modus operandi ====
''Frontline'' magazine quoted a senior police officer as saying that the NDF had successfully exploited the sense of insecurity created in the Muslim community by events that followed the [[Babri Masjid]] demolition to find supporters in northern Kerala, irrespective of their political or other allegiances. The report adds: "Initially, no NDF member used to acknowledge openly that he was an NDF member. they would always claim that they were members of other organisations. The truth may be that members of several organisations were members of the NDF also. Now the NDF has several wings and is making a major effort to project itself as a socio-cultural organisation of Muslims."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1505/15051230.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021124134028/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1505/15051230.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=24 November 2002 |title=Hinduonnet.com |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref>

==== Pakistan MPs visit row ====
Pakistan MP Mohammed Thaha Mohammed's visit to [[Thalassery]] on 29 April 2007 sparked a controversy, with activists of the BJP and other Sangh Parivar groups staging a march to the hotel where Mohammed was staying. They claimed that leaders of a few Muslim organisations, including the NDF, were seen visiting the MP. Mohammed Thaha Mohammed represents [[Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal]] in Pakistan's parliament.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/29/stories/2007042900971100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501085614/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/29/stories/2007042900971100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=1 May 2007 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Pakistan MP's visit to Kerala sparks row | date=29 April 2007}}</ref>

==== Additional views ====
[[University of Haifa]] political scientist [[David Bukay]] lists the NDF as a "fundamentalist and subversive group".<ref>{{cite book
| last = Bukay
| first = David
| author-link = David Bukay
| title = Muhammad's Monsters: A Comprehensive Guide to Radical Islam for Western Audiences P177-178
| year = 2004
| publisher = New Leaf Press
| isbn = 0-89221-576-3
| quote = Evidence of these processes [preparation for large-scale acts of terror] is mounting throughout India, and is reflected in the number of fundamentalist and subversive groups that exist, and the geographical spread of their activities. The most prominent of these include the [[Jamaat-e-Islami Hind]], the All India Milli Council, All India Jihad Committee, The People's Democratic Party, Muslim United Front, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazagham, National Development Front, [[Students Islamic Movement of India]], among others
| url-access = registration
| url = https://archive.org/details/muhammadsmonster0000unse
}}</ref> After the [[11 July 2006 Mumbai Train Bombings]], the NDF, along with other Islamist organisations, was closely monitored by authorities for terrorist links.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/18/stories/2006071803630300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210140552/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/18/stories/2006071803630300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 February 2008 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Police on alert after Mumbai blasts | date=18 July 2006}}</ref> The organisation attracted numerous [[Islamic Fundamentalists]] to their ranks, and are compared to several more well-known militant Islamist groups such as [[Lashkar-e-Toiba]], [[Hizbul Mujahideen]], and others.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Ahamkaari
| author-link = Ahamkaari
| title = Will I Be Killed?: (for Writing the Following Contents. ..) P331
| year = 2003
| publisher = iUniverse
| isbn = 0-595-27591-5
| chapter = 4
| quote =Kerala is witnessing more and more recruits into this extremist Islamic ideology". When the names are the alarming "Lashkar-e-Toiba" and "Hizbul Mujahiddeen" in the "uneducated North", it is very humorously garbed as "National Development Front" in the south"
}}</ref>

==== Implementation of religious code ====
The NDF is alleged to be involved in efforts to push the Islamic [[Sharia]] code among the moderate and cosmopolitan Muslim society in Kerala, an act viewed by moderate Muslims and secularists as "[[Talibanization]]". NDF was accused of targeting liberals in the community – those who do not strictly follow Islamic laws like abstaining from liquor, fasting during [[Ramadan]], and wearing the [[makhna]] or [[purdah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insaf.net/pipermail/sacw_insaf.net/1999/000008.html |title=[sacw] The Muslim Rightwing in Kerala |publisher=Insaf.net |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> Fakir Uppappa or Siddhan was killed in June for indulging in "un-Islamic spiritualism".<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=66573 Kerala's extremist outfit of many faces] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122031/http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=66573 |date=29 September 2007 }}</ref>

A Muslim was murdered in Punalur for binding with Leftist organisation [DYFI]. Media reports about the killing of CPI(M)'s Ashraf in Punalur in [[Kollam]] district points towards this.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

== NDF's response to criticisms ==

The NDF denied involvement in the Marad massacre. It alleged that the perpetrators arrested for the acts were not members of their organisation<ref name="Hindu">{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/01/16/stories/2002011603360300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020816013344/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/01/16/stories/2002011603360300.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=16 August 2002 |title=NDF denies accusation in Marad massacre |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |date=16 January 2002 |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> and blamed the incident on the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] and other "Fascist Hindus".<ref name="ndfcruft">{{cite web |url=http://www.ndfindia.com/content/view/481 |title=NDF welcomed CBI Probe |publisher=Ndfindia.com |access-date=11 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070928100442/http://www.ndfindia.com/content/view/481 |archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref> They made veiled threats implying that there would "be trouble" if "innocent Muslims were persecuted by the police".<ref name="Hindu"/> They declared that they "welcomed the CBI investigation" into the Marad riots.<ref name="ndfcruft"/>

The NDF criticised the media and the authorities for their portrayal of the organisation as a militant outfit. An NDF spokesperson said:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/01/16/stories/2002011603360300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020816013344/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/01/16/stories/2002011603360300.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=16 August 2002 |title=News from The Hindu |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |date=16 January 2002 |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref>

:"Media persons have been misled by Intelligence authorities to believe that the NDF was a militant organisation. They had said the same thing about Congress during the freedom struggle."

== See also ==
* [[Confederation of Human Rights Organizations]]
* [[Students Islamic Organisation of India]]
* [[Popular Front of India]]
* [[Thejas]]
* [[Love Jihad]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/Cities/Thirupuram/Probe_into_Marad_riots/articleshow/2033452.cms '' Probe into Marad riots'', Times of India, 28 September 2006]
* Rajeev Pi, ''In Kerala bastion, CPM fights hardline Muslim violence'', Sunday Express, 20 August 2006 accessed at [http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/289.html Indianexpress.com] 29 December 2006
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1702270.stm ''Communal tension high in Kerala'', BBC, 10 December 2001]
* R. Krishnakumar, ''The Maudany factor'', Frontline (magazine), Volume 19, Issue 22, 26 October – 8 November 2002 accessed at [https://web.archive.org/web/20050329132153/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1922/stories/20021108002603800.htm Hinduonnet.com], 29 December 2006
* R. Krishnakumar, ''Concern in Kerala'', Frontline (magazine), Vol.15, No.05, 7–20 March 1998 accessed at [https://web.archive.org/web/20021124134028/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1505/15051230.htm Hinduonnet.com], 29 December 2006
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/289.html In Kerala bastion, CPM fights hardline Muslim violence] – The [[Indian Express]]
* [http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/ajaisahni/NATIV2002.htm Islamic Extremism and Subversion in South Asia] – Ajai Sahni
* [http://www.popularfront-india.com Popular Front Of India Website]
* [http://www.humanrightskerala.com CHRO Website]
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/Cities/Thirupuram/Probe_into_Marad_riots/articleshow/2033452.cms '' Probe into Marad riots'', Times of India, 28 September 2006]
* Court Rejects ''Anti-National'' Charge Against human rights leader [http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Religion-communalism/2002/anti-national.htm PUCL.org]
* Empower India Conference 15–17 February

{{IslamismSA}}

[[Category:Islamist groups]]
[[Category:Islamic political organizations]]
[[Category:Islam-related controversies in Asia]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:Defunct political parties in Kerala]]
[[Category:Islamic organisations based in India]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in Kerala]]

National Development Front - Revision history

2406:B400:B1:3D00:91B3:D3DE:AEB5:CDAA at 08:40, 20 June 2022

202.78.236.72: copy edit