As the Maharashtra Chief Minister ordered a probe against Mumbai-based Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, the Union Government on Thursday stepped up the heat on him saying “appropriate action” will be taken against him over his speeches that were reported to have inspired some of the Dhaka attackers.
Backing the move, the BJP that described Naik as “threat to the nation’s security” asked the Congress to take action against its leader Digvijay Singh who came under the scanner for appearing in a 2012 video along with the Islamic preacher.
Singh, who was seen praising 50-year-old Naik in the video, defended himself, saying if there was any evidence against the preacher, then the Indian and Bangladeshi Governments should take action against him.
“I have appealed for communal harmony and opposed religious fundamentalism and terrorism by either Hindus or Muslims,” the Congress leader said. The video surfaced on Thursday.
Naik’s speeches are believed to have inspired some of the Bangladeshi militants, who had killed 22 people, mostly foreigners, at an upscale cafe in Dhaka last Friday.
Security personnel were deployed outside Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation office at Dongri area in South Mumbai as a precautionary measure in the wake of the escalating row over his alleged hate speeches.
“The Home Ministry will study (his speeches). It will take appropriate action after studying them. His speeches, as being reported in the media, are highly objectionable,” the new Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters in Delhi.
Naidu’s remarks came a day after Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju hinted at action against the preacher after looking into whether Naik through his speeches glorifies terrorist acts by Muslims. Naik on Wednesday asserted that his speeches on Islam and terror have been taken out of context and claimed that he had only said Muslims should terrorise anti-social elements.
Meanwhile, the BJP targetted Singh and asked Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take action.
“Terrorism is enemy of humanity. Anybody who directly or indirectly abets it is guilty. People like him (Naik) are a threat to our national security. Government agencies should decide on action against him under the existing legal system. It is clear that he incited people,” BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said.
Countering the BJP, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said his senior colleague has himself stated that he only appealed for peace and brotherhood.
Surjewala said the NDA Government should take decisive action against Naik or any other individual or organisation found indulging in anti-India activities.
Naik, in his lecture aired on Peace TV, an international Islamic channel, had reportedly “urged all Muslims to be terrorists”.
The controversial Islamic orator is banned in the UK and Canada for his ‘hate speeches’ aimed at other religions. He is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia.
Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant on Wednesday said he had written to the Union Home Minister, demanding a ban on Naik and Islamic Research Foundation, in the country’s interest.