Bilkulonline.com, Mumbai, Aug 9: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday indicated that “there are many indictments” in the reports the police have submitted on controversial NRI televangelist Zakir Naik. His name cropped up last month after two of the Dhaka attackers had claimed that they were inspired by Zakir Naik who is largely popular in Bangladesh.
Advertisement
Naik, who is now overseas, has been facing heat over allegations of inspiring some of the Dhaka attackers through his speeches.
Fadnavis said that certain activities are attributed to Zakir Naik as well in the report. Refusing to comment on the report submitted by the Mumbai Police, the IRF said that Dr Naik or the IRF has not received any notice from the MHA or any governmental agency as of now. Naik had a lengthy interaction with Indian media via Skype (an Internet-based communication service) from Saudi Arabia on July 15, where he rubbished the charge his sermons had inspired terror activities, including the July 1 terror attack on a bakery in the Bangladeshi capital.
The report will be sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and further action will be taken as per its guidance, said Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio. Officials at IRF said, “Zakir Naik promotes peace, IRF doesn’t believe in forceful conversion”. “Dr Zakir Naik is an expert in comparative religion and has been conducting well- researched talks on Islam and other religions across the world”, the release said.
The Mumbai Police also attached a report of the Kerala Police which has booked IRF men for converting people and pushing them in to ISIS.
“We have registered a case under Section 13 and 38 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act read with Section 120 (B) of IPC against four people, including Qureshi and Khan”, IE quoted Joint Commissioner of Police ( Crime) Sanjay Saxena as saying. Meanwhile IRF today issued a statement defending Qureshi and Khan.
Advertisement
As per Hindustan Times, the case was filed after Mumbai Central resident Abdul Majid Abdul Kader lodged a complaint against Qureshi and Khan, alleging that his son Ashfaque, one of the 21 youths went missing in Kerala, was radicalised by the two men.
