Ban on Zakir Naik’s NGO was long overdue
The Union Government's decision to ban the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), which is an outlawed organisation, run by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, is welcome. A Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the IRF as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and banned the organisation for five years with immediate effect. The ban comes close on the heels of investigations carried out by the National Investigation Agency and a special branch of Mumbai Police into the IRF's terror activities, Naik's speeches in India and abroad. The crackdown was not surprising as the Government had been tracing the Islamic preacher and his organisation for quite some time now. The non-governmental organisation had been under the Government's radar ever since its name cropped up in the Dhaka café attack in July this year, where it was found that three of the attackers were inspired by the Islamic tele-evangelist Naik's preachings. Since then, the Government had been on the lookout to zero in on the situation in many ways, which included a ban on foreign funds to the IRF, close watch on its terror activities, cancellation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act registration, a ban on his Peace TV channel. The IRF, which is notorious for justifying jihadi terror, has been accused of promoting hatred between different religions, of instigating the youth to commit terror activities, of propagating terrorism in the name of religion, and of delivering hate speeches through his Peace TV. And it’s not just his speeches that have landed him into trouble; he has also been linked to cases in Kerala where he has been accused of having brainwashed young minds to join the the Islamic State.
It is surprising that no action was taken against the Salafist preacher even as he had been preaching through his Peace TV for almost two decades now. When the UPA Government was in power, the Ministry of Home Affairs was informed about the potential threat from Naik’s speeches, but the then Government failed to act. Sensing his nefarious designs, many countries, including the UK and Canada, either banned him or declared him an offender for his hate speeches and for advocating Islam over other religions. He is also among the 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia. Perhaps the Indian Government took long to acknowledge the fact that Naik is a threat to the secular fabric of this country. Alas, he has flown out of the cage, not to return anytime soon. But it’s better late than never. India's ban comes as an open, strong, and viable alternative to combat the menace of radical Islamism. The Government must now be prepared to deal with this sensitive case as Naik has been playing the victim card for a long time. Even as Naik and his organisation is looking for legal action to challenge the Government ban, it will be easier said than done. For the moment, the ban has hopefully put an end to Naik's unchecked activities in India.