The Islamist terror activist Zakir Naik has been on the radar of Indian security agencies for its communal activities in India. He has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967 for terror financing, inciting communal hatred and money laundering.
Condemnable, that Modi has just banned my guru Dr Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation for five years.
I want to protest against this fascist move. Please join me. pic.twitter.com/sZwwXvzERg
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) March 31, 2022
In November 2021, Taking punitive action against him, the Government had declared his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) as an unlawful association and the order has been validated by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal.
IRF – A tool to Spread hatred against Hindus
The IRF was banned for its constant effort to spread hatred against Hindus through video messages through the foundation. Even after fleeing from the country, he, through social media and video posts, continued to promote hatred and ill-will between the religious communities. He preached to his followers for the forceful conversion of youth to Islam and made various derogatory statements against Hindus, Hindus Gods and other religions.
In an order to ban the foundation, the government reasoned that Zakir Naik and its followers have been promoting terror activities in India. They were inciting the violence and proclaiming that every Muslim should be a terrorist. Even they were justifying the suicide bombing, terrorism and asking youth to post objectionable posts against Hindus and Hindus God.
Zakir Naik – Heart & Soul of the IRF
Paving the way for the prosecution of Zakir Naik, the tribunal has called him the mastermind of hatred. The tribunal order in a way is an approval of his terror activities. Because his argument to call the IRF formation a fundamental right was rebuked by the judge.
The fundamental right to form the association is inscribed under Article 19 (C ) of the Indian Constitution. But Subsection 4 of Article 19 provides the condition that any association formed under the article must not be against the sovereignty and integrity of India. The communal hatred against Hindus and extolling terrorism is an act of breaking the integrity of the country. Further, He and his organisation is promoting terrorism and trying to incite violence against the state.
Finance for conversion comes from gulf countries
Security agencies busting the finance stated in the court that, he frequently travel around gulf countries to raise funds to spread his Islamist Propaganda. IRF has received around 64.86 crore donations from 2003-to 2017 from these countries. He use to use those funds to give scholarships to Muslim youth and further their Islamist agenda of forceful conversion and radicalizing the people.
Justice D.N. Patel, Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi in his order said that “ The IRF is involved in such activities which not only incite and encourage the youth to undertake the unlawful activities with an intent to threaten the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of India but also cause disaffection against India.”
The government’s order to ban the organization was thus validated by the tribunal which further paved the way for his prosecution. The syndicate of forceful conversion and religious hatred must be dealt with an iron hand. All institutions and sympathizers should be brought under the might of the law.
Read More: Shocking: Islamic extremist Zakir Naik donated Rs 50 Lakhs to Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust