Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday, November 13, said the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), led by fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, had been involved in promoting terrorism and separatism, inciting violent unrest and spreading communal discord.
In a post on X, Shah said the Ministry of Home Affairs had extended the ban on the organisation as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for another five years. He linked the decision to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stated policy of “zero tolerance” towards terrorism and anti-national activities.
“Led by fugitive terror preacher Dr Zakir Naik, the organisation has been involved in sinister anti-India designs, including inciting communal hatred and promoting terrorism,” Shah wrote.
He added that the organisation had propagated what he described as a “venomous ideology of terrorism and separatism”, instigated violent unrest, encouraged the regrouping of absconding terrorists and fomented communal discord.
“In steadfast adherence to PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision of zero tolerance towards terrorism and anti-national activities, MHA extends the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation as an unlawful association under the UAPA,” Shah said.
Centre extends ban under UAPA
The Union Home Ministry extended the ban through a notification dated November 13, declaring the IRF an unlawful association for another five years.
The notification said the organisation had been involved in activities prejudicial to the country’s security and had the potential to disturb public peace and communal harmony.
The ministry invoked Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, to extend the ban. It also noted that the earlier declarations against the organisation had been upheld by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal.
The previous five-year ban was due to expire on November 14. The latest extension will remain in force for another five years from the notification’s publication in the Official Gazette.
