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Fraternity Movement
Fraternity Movement
Fraternity Movement
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The Fraternity Movement is the student wing of Welfare Party of India. The slogan of the movement is "Democracy, Social Justice and Fraternity".[1][2]

Key Information

In 2017, Fraternity made its foray into politics by winning a seat in the college students council of the Maharaja's College in Ernakulam.[3] Fraternity Movement candidate Afreen Fatima won the student union elections of Jawaharlal Nehru University as a councillor in 2019.[4][5]

During the Citizenship Amendment Act protests, Fraternity Movement blocked the airport road in Karipur in protest. This affected hundreds of passengers who commuted to and from the Kozhikode International Airport.[6]

History

[edit]

Fraternity Movement was launched on 30 April 2017 at a student-youth convention held at Ambedkar Bhawan, New Delhi. Aligarh Muslim University Student Leader Ansar Aboobaker was elected as the first president.[7] Since its formation, the organisation has grown in many states including Kerala,[8] West Bengal,[9] Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. Following the court verdict of Babri Masjid - Ram Janmbhoomi dispute, Fraternity Movement criticised the judgement stating Supreme Court has failed to uphold justice.[10]

Prominent leaders

[edit]

Afreen Fatima

[edit]
Main article: Afreen Fatima

Afreen Fatima is a student leader and National Secretary of Fraternity Movement. She is a prominent Muslim voice against the anti-Muslim policies of the Indian government. She studied MA in linguistics at JNU, where she also served as the elected councillor in JNU students' union 2019-20 from the school of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies. As a candidate from Fraternity Movement - BAPSA alliance,[11] she strengthened the call of "unity of the oppressed" and raised the issues of representation, discrimination and identity assertion.[12] Formerly, she has been the elected president of Women's College Students' Union at the Aligarh Muslim University for the session 2018-19.[13] She is known to have actively participated in the anti-CAA protests that started in 2019.[14] She faced several days long media trial after a small part of her speech was tweeted by BJP's national spokesman Sambit Patra.[15]

Aysha Renna

[edit]

Aysha Renna is a Muslim Student Activist and National Secretary of Fraternity Movement. A Post Graduate in History from Jamia Millia Islamia, she is one of the leading voices of the Citizenship Amendment Act Protests.[16] She along with Ladeeda Farzana were called 'Sheroes of Jamia' by Barkha Dutt in an interview.[17] Her video of confronting baton wielding police officers to save her friend during a protest went viral.[18] She has travelled to all major Indian cities to address the Shaheen Bagh protest sites against Citizenship Amendment Act passed by the Indian government in 2019.[19] In January 2021, she was invited to speak at the Elgar Parishad along with Arundhati Roy, Kannan Gopinathan and Sharjeel Usmani.[20]

Campus units

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Fraternity Movement

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Fraternity Movement is a student and youth organization in , functioning as the student wing of the , established around 2017 to foster , , and fraternity among students, youth, and marginalized communities. Its constitution emphasizes organizing members aged 16-36 for a socio-political order rooted in equality, mutual empowerment, and resistance to discrimination based on , class, , , or . Active primarily on university campuses such as , , and Calicut University, the movement participates in student union elections, often securing victories in key positions, and conducts campaigns addressing issues like education access, , and . It has organized protests against policies such as bans and the PM SHRI scheme, alongside public fundraising and solidarity actions for causes including Palestinian rights. The group has encountered controversies, including clashes with the Students' Federation of India (SFI) at institutions like Maharaja's College, where mutual accusations of violence arose, and unauthorized screenings of politically charged content, such as the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to administrative interventions. Critics, including rival student outfits, have alleged affiliations with banned organizations like the Popular Front of India, though the movement positions itself as advocating inclusive democracy against hegemonic politics.

History

Founding and Early Development

The Fraternity Movement was launched on April 30, 2017, as the student and youth wing of the (WPI) during a convention at Ambedkar Bhawan in . The event drew participants including students from , marking the formal inception of the group as a platform to promote , , and fraternity among younger demographics. This organizational step reflected the WPI's strategy to extend its value-based political outreach to campuses, building on the party's establishment in 2009 as a successor to earlier Islamist-influenced entities like the Indian Union Muslim League's political offshoots. In its initial phase, the movement prioritized campus-level mobilization, starting operations at select institutions such as Maharaja's College in by mid-2017. Activities centered on raising awareness of issues, countering perceived in student politics, and fostering youth engagement through rallies and discussions aligned with the group's . The WPI, linked to —a group rooted in Islamist revivalism—provided ideological and logistical support, enabling the movement to position itself as an alternative to established student unions dominated by leftist or secular-nationalist factions. Early efforts emphasized non-violent advocacy, though the movement's ties to organizations later scrutinized for extremism, such as the banned , have drawn retrospective questions about its foundational influences. By late 2017, the Fraternity Movement had gained traction in southern Indian states, particularly , where it contested elections and organized protests against campus fee hikes and administrative policies. This expansion involved recruiting from Muslim-majority bases and allied communities, with an initial focus on 10-15 campuses nationwide, though precise membership figures from this period remain undocumented in public records. The group's early rhetoric critiqued economic inequalities and promoted interfaith solidarity, but its development was shaped by the WPI's broader electoral ambitions, setting the stage for future alliances and conflicts in Indian politics.

Expansion and Key Events

Following its launch in 2017, the Fraternity Movement expanded from initial activities in northern India to establish presence across multiple states, particularly in university campuses with significant Muslim student populations, including (JNU) in , Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in , and institutions in and . By 2020, it reported operations in coastal regions such as , , and Badravathi, alongside and colleges, focusing on mobilizing youth against perceived social injustices. This growth aligned with the Welfare Party of India's broader network, enabling recruitment through campus units and regional conventions, though it remained marginal in national student politics dominated by established groups like the Students' Federation of India (SFI). Key early events included the movement's inaugural student-youth convention on April 30, 2017, at Ambedkar Bhawan in , which formalized its structure and slogan of ", , and ," drawing participants from AMU and other institutions. In August 2017, it entered campus politics, contesting elections at Maharaja's College in as a newcomer, marking its southern expansion amid competition from leftist outfits. A pivotal moment occurred in 2019 when Fraternity Movement candidate Afreen Fatima secured a councillor position in JNU's student union elections, signaling electoral viability in . Later that December, during nationwide Anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, members blockaded Calicut International Airport in , disrupting operations to oppose the law perceived as discriminatory against , resulting in arrests of several activists. In February 2022, the movement organized delegations across to protest the state government's ban in educational institutions, framing it as an assault on and conducting outreach in affected areas. Electoral successes followed, including multiple wins in Calicut University union posts, general seats, associations, and class representatives in subsequent years. By 2025, expansion continued with leadership elections at the (HCU), where Minhaj Jamal was elected president and Hisan Azad general secretary in . That month, it mobilized protests in against the PM SHRI scheme, urging the state government to reject central funding tied to curriculum changes seen as promoting narratives and eroding federal education autonomy. These actions underscored its role in advocacy campaigns, often in solidarity with detained students and against perceived authoritarian measures.

Ideology and Principles

Core Tenets

The Fraternity Movement's foundational principles revolve around three interconnected ideals: democracy, social justice, and fraternity, which serve as its guiding slogan and operational framework. These tenets emphasize organizing students and youth to challenge systemic inequalities and promote a socio-political order rooted in equity and mutual support. Democracy, in the movement's view, extends beyond electoral processes to embody a value-based system ensuring liberty, broad participation, justice, and equitable access to resources for all citizens. It advocates for a "future democracy" that prioritizes equal consideration and mutual regard among diverse groups, positioning the movement as a vehicle for empowering marginalized voices in educational and political spheres. This principle drives efforts to reform institutional structures, such as opposing policies perceived to centralize control over education or undermine federalism. Social justice forms the ethical core, grounded in and equality to eradicate caste-based, religious, , regional, linguistic, or , aiming for a casteless and discrimination-free society. The movement seeks to foster social dignity and mutual across social entities, particularly by amplifying the representation and active participation of historically marginalized sections in decision-making processes. It frames this as a struggle against , including issues like , , and exclusionary practices in , such as opposition to normalized fee structures that disadvantage categories. Fraternity underscores cooperation and coexistence, especially among victims of injustice, through solidarity, self-criticism, and mutual aid to build resilient communities capable of fearless existence. This tenet promotes unity to address socio-political challenges, cultivating an ethical framework for organizational transparency and development while rejecting hate crimes and fostering inclusive advocacy. Membership is open to Indian citizens aged 16-36 committed to these values, reinforcing a federal structure that aligns campus units with national goals of holistic human progress encompassing social, political, cultural, and economic dimensions.

Influences and Evolution

The Fraternity Movement draws its ideological foundations from the Indian Constitution's emphasis on , alongside broader commitments to and as articulated in its founding documents. These principles are presented as responses to systemic inequalities rooted in , class, , and , with the movement positioning itself as an advocate for inclusive political, social, cultural, and economic . Central to its framework is the eradication of hierarchies and promotion of mutual respect among diverse groups, echoing efforts to redistribute resources and empower marginalized communities through . As the student wing of the , established in 2011 by , the Fraternity Movement inherits influences from Islamist organizational strategies adapted to India's secular context, including value-based politics aimed at reforms and opposition to perceived majoritarian dominance. , tracing its origins to the global Islamist revivalism of , emphasizes ethical governance and , though critics argue this masks advocacy for faith-influenced policies; the movement reframes these as universal calls for without explicit religious primacy in its public charter. Early formation activities, declared around 2017 at Ambedkar Bhavan in , incorporated Ambedkarite critiques of hierarchy to appeal to and minority solidarities, blending constitutional fraternity with anti-caste rhetoric. Over time, the movement's ideology has evolved from campus-focused mobilization—beginning operations in institutions like Maharaja's College around 2014—to broader advocacy against policies such as the hijab ban and Citizenship Amendment Act, integrating anti-fascist framing to counter narratives. This shift reflects adaptation to youth discontent with unemployment, educational centralization, and communal tensions, evidenced by electoral gains in student unions, such as multiple victories in Calicut University by 2025. While maintaining core slogans of ", and ," it has increasingly emphasized solidarity campaigns across religious lines, though incidents of by members, like the 2024 attack on a , highlight tensions between stated inclusivity and partisan confrontations. The evolution underscores a strategic pivot toward intersectional justice, prioritizing marginalized Muslim and lower-caste voices amid India's polarized polity, without altering foundational commitments to egalitarian redistribution.

Organizational Structure

National Framework

The Fraternity Movement maintains a hierarchical national structure designed to coordinate activities across state and local units, emphasizing a federal approach to organization as stipulated in Article 5 of its . The national is located at D-300, Dawat Nagar, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, Okhla, - 110025, serving as the central hub for policy formulation and oversight. This framework supports the movement's objectives of mobilizing students and youth aged 16-36 for socio-political goals centered on , , and , with membership open to Indian citizens committed to these principles. At the apex is the National General Council, the supreme decision-making body comprising elected representatives from state-level units and a maximum of 15 nominated members. It convenes at least once every 12 months, requiring a of one-third of its members, to elect the National Executive Committee, approve annual reports, budgets, and program plans, and amend the by a two-thirds . The council ensures accountability by reviewing the performance of lower bodies and addressing organizational disputes. The National Executive Committee, limited to 40 members (30 elected by the General Council and 10 nominated), functions as the primary policy-framing entity, meeting at least every six months with a similar one-third requirement. It elects the national leadership, finalizes budgets, and directs strategic initiatives, including oversight of and operations. Terms for committee members last two years, promoting periodic renewal while maintaining continuity in national direction. Day-to-day operations fall under the National Secretariat, led by the elected President and General Secretaries, which executes decisions, manages finances through an audited central fund, and coordinates with state secretariats. The President acts as the chief executive, chairing meetings, representing the movement publicly, and guiding overall strategy. Three General Secretaries oversee specific domains: , campus activities, and finance, ensuring specialized management of membership drives, electoral engagements, and resource allocation. An of five members, including a chairman, provides non-binding guidance on national matters for two-year terms, supplementing the elected bodies without executive authority. This structure facilitates from units (minimum five members electing a president and ) to and states, with national bodies retaining authority over uniformity and resource distribution. Annual financial audits and ethical guidelines underpin transparency, though implementation relies on internal compliance mechanisms. The framework has enabled national-level responses to issues like educational protests and campaigns, as evidenced by coordinated statements from the National Committee on events such as opposition to central curriculum frameworks in 2025.

Campus and Regional Units

The Fraternity Movement maintains a federal that emphasizes participation, with campus units serving as the foundational level for student engagement. These units are formed at universities and colleges wherever at least five members commit to the organization's principles, electing a president and to oversee local membership drives, campus-specific , and coordination with higher levels of the . Campus units operate on one-year terms to ensure frequent renewal and responsiveness to student issues, focusing on activities such as participating in student union elections, organizing protests against perceived injustices, and promoting the movement's ideals of and within academic environments. Examples of active campus units include those at , , and the , where the movement has achieved electoral successes, such as securing multiple union positions and class representatives in Calicut's student elections. In these settings, units address local concerns like educational access, opposition to policies seen as discriminatory (e.g., hijab bans in institutions), and solidarity campaigns with detained students, often aligning with broader anti-fascist rhetoric. The minimal threshold for formation enables rapid expansion in sympathetic academic circles, particularly in regions with strong youth mobilization, though precise numbers of units remain undisclosed in official documents. Regional units, structured at state and district levels, provide coordination and escalation for campus initiatives, forming a bridge to the national framework. State-level bodies consist of a General Council elected from district representatives, which in turn selects a State Executive Committee of up to 40 members (with a maximum of 30 elected and 10 nominated) and a State Secretariat for daily operations. These units, led by a state president, convene annually for the General Council and biannually for the Executive Committee, overseeing district committees that direct localized campaigns and resource allocation. Active state units are documented in Kerala, West Bengal, and Karnataka, where leaders such as Kerala's State Secretary Nujaim PK have engaged in press conferences and delegations responding to statewide issues like religious intolerance. District committees, elected by local general councils, handle granular implementation, ensuring alignment with the movement's constitution while adapting to regional political dynamics. This tiered regional setup facilitates scalability, with state executives reporting to the national level for policy consistency and joint actions, such as public fundraising for social democracy efforts.

Activities

Electoral Engagements

The Fraternity Movement primarily engages in electoral politics through participation in elections at Indian universities, often forming alliances with other student groups to contest central positions such as president, , and general secretary. These efforts align with its stated goals of promoting and on campuses, targeting issues like educational access and . The movement has secured victories in several institutions, leveraging coalitions to amplify its influence among student voters. In the (EFLU) elections held in 2024, the INSAF alliance—comprising the Fraternity Movement and allied groups—achieved a clean sweep of all central positions, with Rana Basheer of the Fraternity Movement elected as general secretary. This outcome marked a continuation of prior success, as the movement had similarly dominated EFLU polls in 2019 under leader Samar Ali. The alliance also secured unchallenged councillor seats in programs like BA English and Literary Studies, demonstrating strong grassroots mobilization. At , the Fraternity Movement recorded a notable achievement in the 2024 union elections, where candidate Hana PK contested and contributed to the group's described "historic victory," focusing on representation for marginalized students. In the elections for 2025-26, the movement participated as part of a joint panel with ASA, AISA, and MSF, advocating platforms centered on campus welfare and anti-discrimination measures. Similar involvement occurred at , where newly elected Fraternity Movement leaders assumed roles in 2025, reflecting ongoing campus-level organizational elections. Beyond direct contests, the Fraternity Movement has critiqued national electoral processes, such as condemning the of India's decisions in July 2025, which it viewed as undermining democratic integrity. As the student wing of the , it indirectly supports the parent party's campaigns by mobilizing youth voters, though its primary focus remains intra-university polls rather than national legislative races. These engagements underscore a strategy of building influence through localized student governance rather than broad-spectrum party politics.

Protests and Advocacy Campaigns

The Fraternity Movement has organized and participated in numerous protests across , primarily focusing on issues of , opposition to perceived discriminatory legislation, and solidarity with international causes. A prominent example occurred on January 19, 2020, when members blocked access roads to in as part of nationwide demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), (NRC), and National Population Register (NPR). Approximately 10,000 students and youth reportedly joined the action, which aimed to highlight concerns over citizenship verification processes. In advocacy for , the movement conducted a campaign from February 25 to 28, 2022, across to collect testimonies on the impact of the state's ban in educational institutions, framing it as and seeking its revocation. The effort sought to document experiences of affected women amid court-mandated restrictions on wearing hijabs in classrooms and public spaces. Separately, in response to remarks by spokesperson on Prophet Muhammad in June 2022, the group supported protests that led to hundreds of arrests and two reported deaths, standing in solidarity with leader Afreen Fatima, whose family faced detention. International solidarity campaigns have included actions against perceived support for . During Free Palestine Week in January 2024, six members in , , affixed boycott posters to a outlet, labeling its contents as potentially funding "genocide," prompting arrests on charges of rioting and deliberate provocation. The group subsequently protested the detentions, accusing authorities of overreach, with the accused released on bail shortly after. Similar disruptions occurred at a pro- event in October 2025, where members raised flags and faced counter-mobilization with reported Islamophobic slogans. Other notable demonstrations include a 2022 visit to , to express support for residents following demolitions after communal clashes, and a protest outside Uttarakhand Bhavan against the Haridwar Dharma Sansad event accused of promoting hate. In March 2024, eight activists were remanded for 14 days after anti-CAA actions, including railway track blockades, reflecting ongoing legal repercussions. More recently, on October 25, 2025, a march to the state secretariat opposed the PM SHRI scheme, viewed as undermining public education. These activities often intersect with campus mobilizations at institutions like JNU and , where the group has alleged attacks by rivals and police during events.

Leadership

Prominent Figures

Afreen Fatima, a national general secretary of the Fraternity Movement, emerged as a key student activist during her tenure as president of the at the women's college of Allahabad University. She has been vocal in opposing policies perceived as discriminatory against Muslims, including participation in nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019–2020. In June 2022, her family home in was partially demolished by municipal authorities amid allegations of illegal construction, an incident Fatima attributed to political retaliation linked to her activism. Fatima also secured a position in University's student union elections in 2019 as a Fraternity Movement candidate. E.K. Ramees was elected national president of the Fraternity Movement in February 2025 for the 2025–2027 term during the organization's national conference. In this role, he has led efforts on student mobilization and advocacy against central government educational policies, such as the PM SHRI scheme, which the movement claims undermines state autonomy in . Ramees represents the movement's focus on campus-level electoral victories and youth outreach, building on prior leadership transitions. Asim Khan, the preceding national president until April 2025, oversaw the handover to Ramees and contributed to the movement's expansion in university elections and solidarity campaigns. Other general secretaries, including Lubaib Basheer and Mohammed Alfauz Azmi, support operational leadership, coordinating state units and public engagements on issues like and anti-discrimination protests. These figures, drawn predominantly from student backgrounds, embody the movement's emphasis on youth-driven political within Indian campuses.

Controversies and Criticisms

Political and Ideological Disputes

The Fraternity Movement, as the student wing of the , positions itself ideologically around principles of political, social, economic, and cultural democracy, emphasizing fraternity as solidarity against perceived majoritarian policies. It has criticized judicial outcomes like the 2019 verdict in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute, arguing that the decision undermined constitutional by allocating land for a on the site of a demolished . This stance aligns with broader opposition to Hindutva-influenced policies, such as the 2020 Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed PM SHRI schools scheme, which the movement claims promotes centralized control and communal narratives in education. Critics, including rival student organizations, have accused the movement of advancing an Islamist agenda, citing its parent organization's historical ties to , an Islamist group advocating Islamic personal laws. In January 2024, the (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), alleged that Fraternity Movement units in had absorbed activists from the banned (PFI), designated a terrorist organization in 2022 for alleged links to and . Fraternity Movement denied these claims, framing them as attempts to suppress minority voices, while SFI positioned the accusations within a broader of Islamist infiltration in campus politics. Tensions with right-wing groups like the , affiliated with the , have escalated over pro- activism and minority rights. In October 2025, at , Fraternity Movement members reported assaults by ABVP cadres during a Palestine solidarity event, accusing them of Islamophobic slogans and disrupting flag-raising protests in coordination with police detentions. Similar clashes occurred at , where the movement condemned ABVP for "terror" and state repression against anti-Hindutva demonstrations. ABVP has countered by portraying such events as anti-national, highlighting Fraternity's support for causes like the Karnataka hijab row in 2022, where the movement mobilized against uniform bans seen as targeting Muslim students. Internal ideological frictions have surfaced within the ecosystem, exemplified by the 2019 resignation of 11 leaders from its unit, who alleged systemic and discrimination despite the party's rhetoric. The leaders claimed exclusion from leadership roles and , attributing it to upper-caste Muslim dominance rooted in the organization's Islamist heritage, which prioritizes religious over equity. has not directly addressed these claims in student contexts, but they underscore debates over whether its ideal accommodates India's realities or subordinates them to politics.

Incidents Involving Law Enforcement

Incidents involving in the fraternity movement predominantly stem from rituals, underage alcohol consumption at events, and reported sexual assaults, leading to investigations, arrests, and criminal charges by campus and local police departments. These cases often reveal patterns of reckless behavior, including forced intoxication and physical endangerment, with over 200 hazing-related deaths documented since 1838, many triggering police probes. Law enforcement responses have intensified in recent years, with universities issuing cease-and-desist orders alongside criminal inquiries, as seen in multiple 2025 suspensions at institutions like Rutgers, Penn State, and . Hazing investigations frequently escalate to felony charges when injuries or fatalities occur. In December 2013, student Chun "Michael" Deng died from head trauma during a event in , where pledges were blindfolded, tackled, and beaten; five members faced manslaughter charges, while 32 others were indicted on -related offenses by . Similarly, in 2012, freshman David Bina Jr. died from alcohol poisoning during a ; 22 members, including five leaders, were charged with felonies like and obstruction by DeKalb County police. More recently, on October 24, 2025, police investigated for a incident that nearly electrocuted a 19-year-old pledge, resulting in the chapter's permanent closure after evidence of electrical wire exposure emerged. Alcohol violations at fraternity parties have prompted mass arrests for providing to minors and . In August 2020, police arrested 11 individuals, including seven affiliates, at an unauthorized house party where alcohol was served to over 100 underage attendees, violating gathering limits and state laws. At in October 2025, and faced suspensions amid police probes into combined with alcohol distribution to pledges, with Milledgeville authorities documenting excessive drinking events. Sexual assault reports at fraternity houses have drawn extensive scrutiny, often involving , , and delayed reporting. In September 2024, police investigated after a female student alleged by multiple males and forced ingestion on fraternity row, leading to the chapter's suspension pending criminal charges. At the University of in early 2025, four assaults were reported at unnamed fraternity locations within eight weeks, with campus police conducting forensic exams but rarely disclosing specifics due to ongoing probes; one victim sought a sexual assault kit after an off-campus event. These cases underscore fraternity environments as high-risk settings for such crimes, with police data indicating alcohol's frequent role in facilitating assaults.
IncidentDateFraternity/LocationLaw Enforcement Outcome
Hazing death of Michael DengDec. 2013, (NY)5 manslaughter charges; 32 indictments by PA state police
Hazing death of David Bina Jr.Dec. 2012, U.5 felony charges; 17 misdemeanors by DeKalb County police
Unauthorized party arrestsAug. 2020, Florida State U.11 arrests for alcohol to minors by FSU police
hazing injuryOct. 2025, Rutgers U.Chapter closure; police investigation into endangerment
Multiple assaults probeEarly 2025Unnamed fraternities, U. of 4 reports; forensic kits, ongoing by campus police

Impact and Reception

Achievements and Successes

The Fraternity Movement has achieved modest electoral successes in Indian unions, particularly in institutions with significant Muslim populations. In November 2024, its candidate Hana PK secured the vice president position at Students' Union with 399 votes, marking a notable incursion into politics. The organization has also contested high-profile elections, such as those for the in October 2025, positioning itself as a voice for justice and resistance amid campus polarization. These wins reflect growing influence in altering campus political dynamics, especially under Calicut University, where Fraternity Movement-backed efforts have contributed to shifts alongside allied groups like the Muslim Students' Federation, challenging dominance by established left-wing and Congress-affiliated outfits. Over seven years since its inception around 2017, the movement has expanded through targeted membership campaigns, such as the June 2024 "Resilient Communities, Fearless Existence" drive, and public fundraising initiatives to sustain advocacy for democracy and . In , the group has mobilized participation in nationwide protests, including anti-CAA demonstrations across in March 2024 and pro-Palestine actions at EFL University in October 2025, amplifying minority concerns despite occasional clashes with authorities or rivals. Such efforts have heightened visibility for issues like educational access and opposition to policies perceived as discriminatory, though tangible policy reversals remain unverified.

Opposition and Broader Critiques

The Fraternity Movement has faced opposition primarily from rival student organizations and political groups, particularly in campus politics. In January 2024, a clash at Maharaja's College in Kerala between Fraternity Movement members and the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), led to mutual accusations of initiating violence; Fraternity rejected SFI's claims, alleging SFI aggression, while SFI blamed Fraternity and campus authorities for the altercation. Such incidents reflect broader turf wars in Indian university politics, where Fraternity, as the youth arm of the Welfare Party of India (linked to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind), competes with left-wing and secular groups for influence among Muslim and marginalized students. Law enforcement actions have also drawn scrutiny, with multiple arrests of Fraternity activists during protests. In March 2024, eight members were detained in amid anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) demonstrations, part of wider unrest where over 70 were held at and others booked elsewhere; critics from right-leaning outlets viewed these as responses to disruptive tactics, while Fraternity framed them as suppression of dissent. In May 2023, Fraternity workers protested screenings of the film in theaters, labeling it divisive propaganda that fosters religious hatred; opponents countered that such disruptions prioritize communal narratives over free expression. Broader critiques target the movement's ideological ties and activities, often portraying it as advancing Islamist agendas under the guise of . Linked to the , which traces roots to —a group historically advocating Islamic —Fraternity has been accused of fostering radicalism, including sympathy for designated terrorist entities; in September 2024, a Fraternity poster at a university expressed condolences for Hezbollah leader following his death in an Israeli airstrike, prompting claims of endorsing amid ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Opinion pieces in outlets like News18 argue that Fraternity, alongside groups like Students Islamic Organisation, has instigated violence during events such as Manipur conflict protests in 2023, contributing to polarized campuses where radical ideologies evade scrutiny due to institutional reluctance to confront Islamist influences. These charges, frequently from Hindu nationalist perspectives, highlight Fraternity's opposition to policies like CAA and as efforts to shield , potentially undermining ; however, mainstream academic and media sources, often left-leaning, tend to attribute such opposition to Islamophobia rather than substantive evidence of or , illustrating systemic biases in source evaluation. Critics further contend that Fraternity's emphasis on fraternity as "social justice" selectively amplifies minority grievances, such as hijab bans or anti-Muslim rhetoric, while sidelining broader empirical issues like Islamist communalism's role in social fragmentation; for instance, its advocacy against the PM SHRI scheme in October 2025 framed it as eroding state autonomy, but detractors see it as resisting central integration to preserve parallel Islamic educational ecosystems. This approach, rooted in Jamaat's doctrinal realism prioritizing over secular law, is causal in perpetuating identity-based divisions, per analyses from security-focused commentaries, contrasting Fraternity's self-presentation as democratic reformers. While arrests and clashes provide verifiable data points of tension, ideological opposition underscores a fundamental clash: Fraternity's pursuit of "unconditional fraternity" versus accusations of conditional allegiance to national cohesion.

References

  1. https://fraternityindia.org/
  2. https://fraternityindia.org/constitution
  3. https://www.instagram.com/fraternitymovement/?hl=en
  4. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/reinstate-suspended-students-of-rgniyd-fraternity-movement/article69626690.ece
  5. https://ground.news/article/fraternity-movement-gears-up-for-protests-urges-govt-not-to-sign-pm-shri-scheme
  6. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/maharajas-college-clash-fraternity-movement-rejects-sfis-allegations/article67752899.ece
  7. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/hyderabad-university-bbc-documentary-screening-without-permission-8403123/
  8. https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/01/19/activists-banned-pfi-campus-front-now-in-fraternity-movement-says-sfi-arsho.html
  9. https://thecompanion.in/fraternity-movement-the-new-designation-students-youth
  10. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/a-campus-politics-dark-horse-creates-buzz/articleshow/60238595.cms
  11. https://fraternityindia.org/about-us
  12. https://fraternityindia.org/kerala
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWnf6KXmaxY
  14. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQPACS4ks9S/
  15. https://madhyamamonline.com/kerala/fraternity-movement-gears-up-for-protests-urges-govt-not-to-sign-pm-shri-scheme-1460011
  16. https://www.facebook.com/FraternityMovement/
  17. https://fraternityindia.org/nfs-a-tool-of-exclusion-of-students-from-marginalized-communities-scrap-it
  18. https://welfareparty.in/about-us/
  19. https://fraternityindia.org/assets/Hijab_Ban_A_Call_to_Struggle_PDF.pdf
  20. https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/report/2024-01-17-maharajas-college/
  21. https://fraternityindia.org/news-articles
  22. https://www.instagram.com/fraternitymovement/
  23. https://fraternityindia.org/history-repeats-in-union-election
  24. https://www.facebook.com/welfarepartymaharashtra/posts/fraternity-movements-historic-victory-in-delhiuniversity-union-electionsfraterni/971837178302035/
  25. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOpgCMpEgO6/
  26. https://www.instagram.com/p/DL2c1pBJi9P/
  27. https://welfareparty.in/
  28. https://www.instagram.com/p/B7lSl5cDOC7/
  29. https://maktoobmedia.com/india/south-india/anti-caa-protesters-block-airport-in-kerala/
  30. https://fraternityindia.org/revoke-hijab-ban-stop-dehumanization-of-muslim-women
  31. https://fraternityindia.org/fraternity-stand-firm-with-our-leader-afreen-fatima-and-her-family
  32. https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/kerala-students-booked-for-rioting-after-sticking-pro-palestine-posters-at-starbucks
  33. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/thiruvananthapuram/six-students-arrested-pro-palestine-posters-kozhikode-starbucks-9099460/
  34. https://www.hindutvawatch.org/mobs-disrupt-du-palestine-protest-with-islamophobic-slogans-police-detain-students-fraternity-movement-and-sio-condemn-violence-the-observer-post/
  35. https://fraternityindia.org/shamseer-ibrahim-national-president-visited-jahangirpuri-and-interacted-with-the-residents-extended-solidarity-and-support-in-their-fight-ahead
  36. https://www.opindia.com/2024/03/anti-caa-protests-8-fraternity-movement-arrested-kerala-70-protestors-detained-delhi-university/
  37. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/13/act-of-vendetta-afreen-fatima-on-her-house-bulldozed-in-india
  38. https://fraternityindia.org/our-leaders
  39. https://madhyamamonline.com/india/e-k-ramees-elected-national-president-of-fraternity-movement-for-2025-2027-1383047
  40. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1032892108863208&id=100064272866371&set=a.361416799344079
  41. https://x.com/Fraternity_movt/status/1911329906367123554
  42. https://maktoobmedia.com/india/delhi-university-fraternity-movement-alleges-student-assaulted-by-abvp-prevented-from-filing-dusu-nomination/
  43. https://www.newsclick.in/11-dalit-leaders-welfare-party-india-resign-alleging-untouchability
  44. https://abcnews.go.com/US/fraternity-chapter-closes-alleged-hazing-incident-left-rutgers/story?id=126840777
  45. https://www.psu.edu/news/student-affairs/story/sigma-pi-suspended-hazing-continues-operate-unrecognized-group
  46. https://www.wbiw.com/2025/10/27/indiana-university-suspends-second-fraternity-in-a-week-following-multiple-hazing-reports-and-injuries/
  47. https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/14/us/pi-delta-psi-michael-deng-death
  48. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/37-face-charges-hazing-death-baruch-colleges-michael-deng-n427206
  49. https://abc7chicago.com/archive/8924383/
  50. https://abc7ny.com/post/rutgers-university-alpha-sigma-phi-fraternity-chapter-closed-hazing-involved-19-year-old-students-injury/18067109/
  51. https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/11-arrested-at-house-party-thrown-by-banned-fsu-fraternity/2283222/
  52. https://wgxa.tv/news/local/two-gcsu-fraternities-suspended-amid-reports-of-hazing-violations-investigation-underway-georgia-college-and-state-university-bobcats-kappa-alpha-order-kappa-sigma-suspended-alcohol-violations-milledgeville-police-department-ga-gbi
  53. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/11/cornell-university-fraternity-suspension
  54. https://cu-citizenaccess.org/2025/04/four-sexual-assaults-reported-over-past-eight-weeks-at-fraternities-at-university-of-illinois-police-seldom-name-frats-or-locations/
  55. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/fraternities-and-rape-campus-violence-against-women-bloody
  56. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIfxyeAyzbj/
  57. https://thefederal.com/category/states/south/kerala/kerala-sfi-msf-ksu-student-union-polls-cpim-congress-211473
  58. https://fraternityindia.org/strengthen-the-fight-for-social-democracy-public-fund-raising-drive
  59. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/framing-of-caa-rules-spawns-protests-across-kerala/article67943141.ece
  60. https://scroll.in/latest/1087438/hyderabad-nine-students-booked-after-scuffle-during-pro-palestine-protests-at-efl-university
  61. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/the-kerala-story-nyc-and-fraternity-movement-hold-protest-in-theatre-in-kochi/articleshow/100020111.cms
  62. https://www.news18.com/opinion/opinion-when-academia-fails-the-need-for-state-intervention-against-campus-radicalism-8885908.html
  63. https://www.arthprakash.com/current-relevance-of-welfare-party-of-india-and-the-fraternity-movement
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