Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Hindu Rashtra Coordination Committee on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Directorate of Education and the Directorate of Higher Education urging the Goa government to impose an immediate ban on the activities of the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) in educational institutions across the state.
The memorandum was handed over to Director of Education Shailesh Zingade and Director of Higher Education Bhushan Sawaiker. The delegation included Jayesh Thali of the Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh, Sujan Naik and Vinod Warkhandkar of Goa Hindu Yuva Shakti, Ramdas Savaiverekar of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Devidas Govker of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, and Satyavijay Naik of the Hindu Rashtra Samnvay Samiti.
In the memorandum, the committee claimed that although the Central Government has banned Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, SIO — described by them as its student wing — continues to approach educational institutions in Goa to conduct sessions on topics such as “student challenges,” “ethical values,” and “responsible citizenship.” The committee further alleged that national investigations have linked SIO to the Turkish Youth Federation (TUGVA), describing this as a national security concern.
The organisations also referred to a February incident in which SIO had reportedly taken students from two schools — Keshav Smruti School in Dabolim–Vasco and Baina Government High School — to a mosque for a workshop without administrative permission. The matter surfaced after parents raised objections, following which the institutions took action.
The memorandum argued that groups like SIO may attempt to influence students “under the guise of counselling or personality development,” and stressed that sensitive subjects such as mental health should be handled only by certified professionals. The committee also cited the recent November 10 blast in Delhi, claiming it highlighted attempts to target youth.
The delegation urged the Education Department to bar SIO from conducting any form of activity in Goa’s schools and colleges.
