New Delhi: The Central Government has extended the ban on controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years, declaring the organisation an unlawful association with immediate effect.
The decision was announced through a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 13. The government invoked Sections 3(1) and 3(3) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, to continue the restrictions. The previous five-year ban was scheduled to expire on November 14, 2026.
The IRF was first declared unlawful in November 2016, with the restriction subsequently extended in November 2021. Both earlier decisions were upheld by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal in May 2017 and March 2022.
In its latest notification, the Home Ministry alleged that the organisation and its members, particularly its founder and president, Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, had been encouraging and assisting followers in promoting enmity, hatred and ill will between different religious communities.
The government also raised concerns over Naik’s speeches and public statements, describing them as objectionable and subversive. According to the notification, he has used international satellite television networks, the internet, print publications and social media platforms to reach millions of people worldwide with radical messages.
The ministry alleged that these statements had the potential to influence young people in India and abroad towards terrorist activities.
The notification further warned that allowing the organisation to continue its activities could enable it to regroup its absconding members and activists, disturb India’s secular framework, spread anti-national sentiments and encourage separatist activities through support for militancy.
The government maintained that immediate restrictions were necessary to prevent activities considered harmful to national security and public order.
The extended prohibition will remain in force for five years from the date of publication in the Official Gazette, subject to any order issued by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal under Section 4 of the Act.
