Cadres of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) staged a protest here on Monday condemning the Indian government of vilifying Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who according to the party was revered by majority of the Muslim community.
Leading the protest, Abubakar Siddiq, president of Madurai region and member of state working committee of SDPI, said that Dr. Naik was a peace loving person, who is respected not only by the Muslims in India but also by leaders of various countries.
He blamed the central government for intentionally defaming Dr. Naik and thereby preventing him from Islamic preaching. “By this, the government is also trying to intimidate other Islamic religious leaders and scholars,” he said.
He alleged that despite the absence of evidence, the government seized the opportunity provided by the militant attacks in Bangladesh to project Dr. Naik as a person promoting terrorism.
Mr. Siddiq demanded that the central government should immediately stop the smear campaign targeted against Dr. Naik. “We will intensify our protest otherwise,” he said.