We Will Not Compromise on Terrorism: Rajnath Singh on Zakir Naik

Naik, a popular Islamic orator, is banned in the UK and Canada for his hate speech against other religions.

Zakir Naik (L) and Rajnath Singh. (Photo: The News Minute, Reuters/Altered by The Quint)

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said a proper probe would be conducted in the matter of Zakir Naik.

“We will not compromise on terrorism,” said Singh, adding that CD’s of Naik’s speeches were being examined.

On Thursday, security outside the office of controversial TV evangelist was tightened. Founder of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), Naik operates out of his office in Dongri, Mumbai.

Naik, who allegedly influenced a gun man who killed hostages in Dhaka on 1 July, came under the scanner for his controversial comments about religion.

Security tightened outside Zakir Naik’s office in Dongri. (Photo: ANI)

Earlier on Wednesday, the Mumbai police questioned office bearers of the IRF.

The Congress also took a dig at former Information and Broadcast Minister, Arun Jaitley, over the controversy surrounding Naik.

If a platform (channel) has been violating the programme code and has been allegedly putting up stuff which is inflammatory, then I am surprised as to why the Ministry of I&B has chosen to remain silent till this point in time.

Manish Tewari, Congress party spokesperson

Also Read: Watch: Zakir Naik Reacts to Charge of ‘Inspiring’ Dhaka Attacker

The Shiv Sena also jumped into the debate around Naik and said that he should be banned.

Naik has allegedly been under police radar for over a decade now, News 18 reported, quoting sources. He is expected to return to India on 11 July and address a press conference on 12 July.

A popular Islamic orator and founder of IRF, Naik has been banned in the UK and Canada for his hate speech aimed at other religions. He is also among the 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia.

He is also reported to have ‘inspired’ the chief of Hyderabad ISIS module. However, Naik in an interview denounced ISIS, calling it un-Islamic.

His religious discourse is propagated through an English TV channel, Peace TV, which he started in 2006. In one of his lectures he reportedly “urged all Muslims to be terrorists.”

Also Read: Zakir Naik On Islamic State, Dhaka Attack and Osama Bin-Laden

The inquiry on Naik has come after a Bangladeshi minister sought India’s help in tightening a probe against him, according to media reports.

Following which, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said that his speeches were a matter of concern and that security agencies are evaluating them to verify whether there can be a case against him.

He, however, warned that nothing conclusive about the investigation can be said.

As a minister, I cannot comment as to what kind of action will be taken under the law.

Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home

(With inputs from PTI, News 18 and ABP news.)