Zakir Naik’s IRF challenges ban

Last November, the Centre declared the Islamic preacher's NGO as an “unlawful association”, which disturbed social and communal harmony.

Zakir Naik is banned in the UK and Canada for his hate speech aimed against other religions. File Photo

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) on Friday challenged the validity of its ban by the Centre under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

However, the government claimed the Foundation was luring youths to join the ISIS.

"Youth were being radicalised. Many were in the queue for joining ISIS. Many youth arrested in unrelated terror cases stated that they were inspired by speeches of Zakir Naik. What could have been a more urgent situation for a nation? Should we have waited for

pralay (catastrophe)," Centre told Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva of the Dehi High Court.

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IRF counsel said the notification declaring it an unlawful association was silent and gave no reasons.

The Centre, however, refuted the allegations as it submitted various reasons for banning the IRF.

"We have specified all reasons and even the members of IRF were put to notice before," said Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain.

Mr. Jain reiterated reasons as given in the notification that mentions derogatory statements made by Mr. Naik against Hindu Gods and how he extolled al Qaeda terrorist Osama Bin Laden.

He said the notification clearly states that the IRF, particularly its founder-president Mr. Naik had been encouraging its followers to promote religion disharmony or feeling of enmity between different religious communities.

The Centre contended that "when the judicial tribunal is looking into the same issue and has been formed for this purpose only, courts should be inclined to stay away from deciding the same issue".

The Bench directed the Centre to produce relevant records leading to its ban declaration.

Restricting the petition to the issue of immediate ban, the Bench posted the matter for further hearing on Tuesday.

The Union Cabinet, on November 15, gave the go-ahead to declare the NGO as an “unlawful association” that disturbed social and communal harmony and placed it under ban for five years with immediate effect.

The NGO was declared an “unlawful association” on the basis of four key points: criminal cases against Mr. Naik, his provocative speeches, the NGO’s dubious relationship with the banned Peace TV and transfer of NGO’s money to Peace TV .