Intelligence agencies are mulling action against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in the wake of reports that the terrorists involved in the deadly attack on a posh restaurant in Dhaka were inspired by him. Mumbai-based Naik runs the Peace TV channel through his Islamic Research Foundation. Government agencies are monitoring the fund flow to the TV channel from Islamic countries. Naik’s speeches in the TV channel are alleged to indirectly justify jehad and terror activities of jehadis.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the agencies were closely monitoring the activities of Naik and his organisations. “Zakir Naik’s speeches are a matter of concern for us. Our agencies are working on this. But as a Minister, I will not comment what action will be taken,” Rijiju told reporters.
Meanwhile, the new Information & Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the Government will study the issue. “We have time to study all these aspects,” he said without elaborating.
Bangladeshi newspaper ‘Daily Star’ had reported that militant Rohan Imtiaz, son of an Awami league leader, ran propaganda on Facebook last year quoting Zakir Naik.
In his lectures aired on Peace TV, an international Islamic channel, Naik has reportedly made a series of provocative speeches that can fan terrorism. The Islamic Research Foundation is banned in the United Kingdom and Canada for his hate speeches aimed against other religions. Naik is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia.
He is hugely popular in Bangladesh through his Peace TV, although his preachings often demean other religions and even other Muslim sects, the report said. In India also in some locations, Peace TV is illegally aired.
Through his TV channel, Naik urges the Islamic community to donate generously. The bank accounts shown on Peace TV for donating funds belong to foreign banks in countries across the world.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said he had written to the Union Home Minister, demanding a ban on Naik and Islamic Research Foundation.
“People whose language propagates violence against the nation’s unity should be banned,” Sawant said in the letter.
“Islam teaches love and peace. But every day is a day of high alert now. I appeal to the Home Minister that action needs to be taken,” he said.