NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday banned Mumbai-based NGO Islamic Research Foundation promoted by controversial Salafist preacher Zakir Naik for five years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
The Government has declared the NGO as an unlawful organisation under the UAPA. The move comes after reports from various agencies confirmed that Naik and his NGO IRF was involved in terror activities, communal activities and radicalisation through propaganda.
The Cabinet Committee on Security on Tuesday approved a Union Home Ministry proposal to declare IRF as an 'unlawful association' under the UAPA for five years. The Government will soon formally notify the CCS decision to the effect, Union Home Ministry sources said.
The decision comes in the wake of reports by Central as well as State agencies revealing dubious links between IRF and Peace TV, an Islamic channel promoted by Naik and linked to terror propaganda, the sources said.
Reports with the Union Home Ministry point out that Naik, who heads the IRF, has allegedly made provocative speeches on many occasions through Peace TV.
Besides adverse reports by the Central Intelligence agencies, Maharashtra Police has also registered criminal cases against Naik for his alleged involvement in radicalisation of youths and luring them into terror activities. Maharashtra Government had also requested the Centre to ban the outfit.
Naik is also accused of subverting IRF funds for production of objectionable programmes for Peace TV that has reportedly been engaged in preaching hard line Salafist form of Islam and luring youths into its insidious agenda.
The Government had already put IRF Educational Trust under the prior permission category implying that the outfit will have to seek Government vetting before receiving foreign funds.
Centre’s crackdown against Naik and his outfits began soon after the preacher’s radicalisation role emerged in Dhaka terror attack earlier this year.
United Kingdom, Canada and Malaysia have in the past banned Naik for his hate speeches.