The Government of India has extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) led by India-born preacher Zakir Naik. In a notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) said that the IRF is involved in activities that are detrimental to the security of the country and which have the potential to disturb the peace and harmony and disrupt the secular fabric of the country. IRF and its members, in particular, the Founder and Chairman, Zakir Abdul Karim Naik alias Zakir Naik, may, to their followers, cause disharmony, or feelings of enmity between different religious communities and groups which may affect the integrity and security of the country. are harmful to.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the statements and speeches made by Naik are objectionable and subversive. He is promoting enmity and hatred between religious groups. Also, he inspires the youth of a particular religion in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts. The central government is also of the view that if the illegal activities of IRF are not curbed immediately, it will continue its subversive activities and re-organise its absconding activists.
The Home Affairs Ministry said that Naik's activities will disrupt the secular fabric of the country. It will pollute the minds of the people by creating communal hatred, propagating anti-national sentiments, promoting separatism by supporting extremism and some people may do such activities. These are prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and the security of the country. The notification said that the Central Government is also of the opinion. However, it is necessary to declare it an unlawful association. Immediate action should be taken in relation to the activities of the Islamic Research Foundation. It has been decided to extend the ban imposed on IRF for another five years.
