Representational Image | Photo Credit: PTI

New Delhi: The Popular Front of India (PFI) on Friday filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court over the Ayodhya land case verdict. In its petition, the PFI has said that even though it's not even a party to the main case, its interest was affected by the decision of the apex court.

The Peace Party of India (PPI) had also filed a curative petition last month in the Ram Janambhoom-Babri Masjid land dispute case challenging the verdict. On December 12, the Supreme Court had dismissed a batch of 19 review pleas filed by Muslim and Hindu parties after finding no ground to entertain them.

What is PFI?

PFI, which describes itself as a ‘socio-economic movement’, was established in 2006 as a federation of Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD), National Development Front (NDF), Kerala and Manitha Neethi Pasarai (MNP), Tamil Nadu. It aims to empower Muslims as well as the deprived and the downtrodden in the nation at large.

The organisation under scanner for its alleged role in fueling anti-CAA stir in the country. A probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had recently revealed how PFI was funding protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the country. The total amount of money that was reportedly used to finance the agitation was Rs 120 crore spread across 73 bank accounts.

It to be noted that PFI is also being investigated by the ED since 2018 for alleged violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). PFI members have reportedly been involved in several murder cases, mostly of CPM and RSS cadres in Kerala and it also been accused of forced religious conversions in Kerala.

The Ayodhya land case verdict

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on November 9 last year had granted the ownership of the site claimed by both Hindus and Muslims entirely to Ram Lalla. The SC ruling, in favour of Hindu litigants, settled the long-standing dispute between the two communities allowing to build the temple at the site which many Hindus believe was the birthplace of Lord Ram.

The court also ordered the government to set up a trust to oversee the construction of the temple and allot five acres of land at a “prominent place” in Ayodhya for a mosque.

PFI termed the verdict as 'unfair'

Expressing disappointment over the Supreme Court judgement, the PFI had earlier said that the majoritarian interests were given priority over principles of justice and it is against freedom of religious practices granted to minorities as a fundamental right.

"Peace only prevails only if justice is done. It was not the Muslims who withdrew from the compromise talks, but the other side," said PFI national executive member E M Aburehman.