The Centre has extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) led by fugitive preacher Dr Zakir Naik for another five years. 

 

In a notification issued yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs, declared IRF an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, citing the organisation’s involvement in activities detrimental to the country’s security, communal harmony and secular fabric.

 

In a social media post, the Office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, the decision reflected the government’s commitment to its policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and anti-national activities. The post said, the organisation had been involved in activities aimed at inciting communal hatred, promoting terrorism and spreading separatist ideology.

 

According to the Home Ministry notification, the government had first declared the Islamic Research Foundation an unlawful association in November, 2016. The ban was subsequently extended in November, 2021. The Ministry said, the IRF had been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the country, with the potential to disturb peace and communal harmony and disrupt the secular fabric of the country.

 

The Ministry also cited speeches and statements made by the foundation’s founder and president, Dr Zakir Naik, saying they promoted enmity and hatred among different religious communities and inspired young people belonging to a particular religion, both in India and abroad, to commit terrorist acts. The notification further stated that the government considers it necessary to curb the organization’s activities to prevent the spread of anti-national sentiments.