The Institute of Objective Studies (IOS), established in the year 1986 with its headquarters in New Delhi, brands itself as an Islamic research body. It is a registered non-profit with branches functioning at Aligarh, Patna, Kolkata, Chennai, Kozhikode (Calicut), Ahmedabad- known as IOS chapters.
- The IOS emerges as an entity of concern in the context of national security on the following prime grounds:
- IOS’ Kozhikode (Calicut) chapter’s past firm connection with Professor P Koya, a key founding member of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI)
- IOS’ members’ well-connected and widespread network across almost all prominent national Islamic bodies
- IOS’ associations with controversial international charities and organizations
- IOS’ consistently vocal anti-Hindutva stance, and criticism of government policies relating to the Muslim community
IOS’ Key office bearers
The Institute of Objective Studies (IOS)’ research works focus primarily on the status and condition of Indian Muslims. IOS’ official website hasn’t been updated for a considerable period of time. The body’s NGO Darpan filings, however furnish names of current office bearers of IOS along with their designation.
Dr. M Manzoor Alam, the IOS’ preceding Chairman, remains the chief patron as per information hosted in a video on the body’s YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pICDREUuYgM
Dr. Alam has held significant positions in both national and international Islamic organizations, as detailed in the chart of profiles for IOS’ key office bearers below:
IOS & POPULAR FRONT OF INDIA (PFI)
Prof. P. Koya, a key member of now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) was a member of IOS’ governing council and the coordinator for its Kozhikode chapter. In October of 2024, the Enforcement Directorate hence seized properties of the IOS Kozhikode office as part of its investigations into PFI.Details of Prof. P. Koya as coordinator for Institute for Objective Studies (IOS). Source: IOS’ archived page (https://oldwebsite.iosworld.org/str.htm)
Both Prof. Koya & (late) AA Vahab, the Secretary of IOS, Kozhikode, were also associated with the Islamic Youth Centre, Kozhikode where many of IOS’ events took place. https://www.iosworld.org/uploads/pdfs/a5cf79d4-ac68-4a62-bb48-31b13c358e48.pdf
Koya was a trustee at the Empower India Foundation (EIF), an NGO that reported on IOS events on its website.https://empowerindiafoundation.org/indian-muslim-economy/
