New Delhi: Centre has extended the ban on Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for five years. Through a notification, the Union Home Ministry declared the organisation unlawful under the stringent UAPA.
In its notification, the Ministry further said that Naik’s organisation has the potential of disrupting peace and communal harmony and disrupting the secular fabric of the country.
The notification by Home Ministry read that "the ministry is of the opinion that IRF and its members, particularly the founder and president, Zakir Naik to have inspired and aided his followers to promote or attempt to promote, on grounds of religion, disharmony or feelings of enmity hatred or ill-will between different religious communities and groups which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country."
The government had banned Islamic Research Foundation five years ago under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 on November 17, 2016.
Its founder Zakir Naik was accused of encouraging Muslim youths in India and other countries to commit acts of terrorism following which the ban was imposed on IRF.
He is accused of spreading hate among different communities through his satellite television channel, Peace TV, and social media where he has 20 million followers.
Following the 2016 Dhaka bombing, Naik who was born in Mumbai fled the city and went to Malaysia where he still resides. On July 1, 2016, a bombing at a cafe in Bangladesh’s Dhaka had killed 20 people which included 17 foreigners.
The accusations on Naik of encouraging youths towards terrorist activities were raised after one of the bombers of the Dhaka blasts said that he was inspired by Naik.
Similarly, two men from Kerala who joined the Islamic State had said that they were attracted to join the militant group after meeting Naik.
The preacher has however denied being a participant in these incidents.
Naik has a permanent residence in Malaysia. India has been pursuing Malaysia to extradite Naik but with no success so far. The National Investigation Agency and the Enforcement Directorate had filed multiple cases against Naik.