India bans Zakir Naik’s foundation

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday banned Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), the organization run by famous Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Naik, according to local media reports.

The NGO has been banned for five years with immediate effect under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Quoting sources in the home ministry, Times of India reported that the Indian authorities had solid case for banning the IRF and there were FIRs registered against Naik and other members of his organization.

According to the newspaper Dr Zakir Naik was being monitored by security agencies after July 1 terror attack in Bangladesh when one of the perpetrators of the assault was accused of running propaganda on social media quoting the famous preacher.

In 2010, Britain banned Naik from entering the country. Then home secretary and now British Prime Minister  Theresa May had said she barred Zakir Naik for inflammatory remarks he was known to have made in the past.