The Indian home ministry slapped the ban on Naik’s NGO on the grounds that it was carrying out activities contrary to the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA), while directing Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to seek prior permission from it before giving any money to the NGO.
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Mr Naik has been accused of radicalising and attracting youths for terror acts.
However the Congress reiterated that the money did not come to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation but to an allied entity, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT).
Naik’s organisation has come under the scanner after it was alleged that some of the gunmen who launched a deadly attack on a cafe in Bangladesh about two months ago were influenced by his sermons. We donate to many NGOs doing work which is part of the charter of the IRF and like those NGOs, the RGCT was also given money.
Congress’s admission of the donation from IRF Naik’s NGO followed questions from reporters on Friday.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul and son-in-law Robert Vadra have been at the receiving end of Swamy’s rants.
Zakir Naik, the controversial televangelist under scanner of investigative agencies for terror connection, has cast a shadow over Sonia Gandhi-led Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Defending Congress, spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the donation was received when Zakir Naik and his NGO IRF were not found involved in any wrongdoing. Organizations like IRF registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act are allowed to transfer money they receive from overseas to other FCRA-approved+ bodies.
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According to Home Ministry officials, the probe team may ask authorities of the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust to explain the details of donation received from IRF. Naik, who has been overseas since the cafe attack rocked Bangladesh, has reportedly called off plans to return to India. “Zakir Naik is being targetted for his popularity among Muslims”. “It (donation) was discovered by chance when the recent events happened… and some months ago, a remittance was made”, he said. “The government has chose to ban IRF and is working backwards by throwing accusations at us such as paying Rs 50 lakh donation as “bribe” to the Congress”, the spokesman said.
