The Indian government has banned a popular NGO linked to prominent Muslim speaker Dr Zakir Naik after it was deemed as an “unlawful organisation”.
The Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) has been banned for five years with immediate effect under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and was approved at a meeting of the Union Cabinet on Tuesday.
The Indian government started discussions about outlawing IRF due to Dr Naik’s alleged “objectionable and subversive” speeches.
Criminal cases were filed against him and other members of IRF for their “dubious” links with Peace TV, which apparently features “communal” and “pro-jihad” content propaganda.
The declaration of IRF as “unlawful” under Section 3 of the UAPA will force closure of the organisation’s offices and interests across India.
Sources within the home ministry told Times of India that there was a solid case for banning IRF based on material shared by the central intelligence agencies.
Several of Dr Naik’s speeches – mainly from Peace TV – have been compiled by the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
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As per the Cabinet note proposing action against IRF, which included legal opinion favouring a ban on the NGO for “disturbing communal harmony” and “attempting forced conversions”, Dr Naik has also been accused of “promoting enmity between religious groups” and “inspiring Muslim youth in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts”.
The Mumbai-based preacher came under the radar of the security agencies after a secular pro-Hasina regime newspaper in Bangladesh “Daily Star” falsely reported that one of the perpetrators of the July Dhaka terrorist attacks, Rohan Imtiaz, posted quotes of Dr Naik on Facebook.
Dr Naik is one of the most widely listened to speakers in the Muslim majority world.
He is famously known for his expertise in comparative religions and debating Christians, Hindus and atheists.
Dr Naik has not returned to India ever since the controversy erupted.
