New Delhi: The Modi government has extended the ban imposed on renowned Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s non-governmental organisation Islamic Research Foundation for five years under draconian law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
In 2016, Islamic Research Foundation had been declared an “unlawful association” under the UAPA for five years. The ban on the organisation was to expire on Tuesday.
Naik, who lives in Malaysia, has been on the Indian government’s radar ever since the Modi government directed guns at him on the fake charge that he had inspired one of the attackers who carried out an attack at restaurant in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka in July 2016. Naik has repeatedly denied the allegation.
In a notification, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs said it is of the view that the Islamic Research Foundation and its members, especially Naik, have been “encouraging and aiding its followers to promote or attempt to promote, on grounds of religion, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious communities. Web Desk
