New Delhi : The home ministry on Monday extended the ban on Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), an NGO founded by Islamic Scholar Zakir Naik, for a further five years, saying that if the activities of the “unlawful association” were not curbed, it would continue its subversive activities and reorganise its absconding activists to create communal disharmony, propagate anti-national sentiments and support militancy.
An MHA notification extending the ban said that the Central government is of the opinion that the Islamic Research Foundation and its members, particularly, its founder and president, Zakir Naik, has 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 and groups which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country. It referred to his statements and speeches saying that they were objectionable and subversive, and added that Naik, through such speeches and statements, was inspiring youths of a particular religion in India and abroad, to commit terrorist acts.
It further noted that Zakir Naik had made radical statements and speeches to millions of people worldwide through international satellite TV, internet, print and social media.
The notification stated that if the unlawful activities of IRF were not curbed and controlled immediately, it will take the opportunity to continue its subversive activities and re-organise its activists who are still absconding; disrupt the secular fabric of the country by polluting the minds of the people by creating communal disharmony; propagate anti-national sentiments; escalate secessionism by supporting militancy; and undertake activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.
