New Delhi: In a blow to controversial Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik, the Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed Islamic Research Foundation’s (IRF) plea challenging the Centre’s decision to ban it, and stated that the move was meant to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of India.
“The order of the cental government is not arbitrary and illegal. The decision by the Union of India was taken in the interest to safeguard the sovereignty, integrity and national security of India,” Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said in his observation.
The court said the order was made after “application of mind” as there was apprehension that the television speeches of Naik could radicalise the youth to join terror groups.
On 15 November, 2016, the union cabinet had declared IRF as an outlawed organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for five years for its alleged terror activities. The accounts of IRF were immediately frozen. IRF challenged the said notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on November 17.
The MHA decision followed an investigation which found IRF to be having dubious links with Peace TV, an Islamic TV channel, accused of propagating terrorism.
“The Mumbai Police has already lodged a formal complaint against six members of IRF on a complaint by the father of a Kerala-based youth who joined Daesh. Also some terrorists and Daesh sympathisers arrested by the authorities have claimed they were inspired by the statements made by IRF,” the central government had said in a written submission to the court.
Earlier this month, the government produced material before the court to back its decision to immediately impose the ban on Naik’s organisation. The centre also accused Naik of making statements which were “derogatory of other religions and helped spread communal disharmony”.
IRF, however, submitted to the court that the MHA notification gave no reason and cited no material for taking such a step as was required by the law. IRF also said the immediate ban was imposed without giving it any show cause notice.
IRF’s counsel said it was wrong on the part of the government to ban an entire organisation for the words or actions of one person.
“Islamic Research Foundation is not an accused in the case and the crime report reported against Zakir Naik is of 2012-2013. Why action has been taken after such a long time? Is this the way the government applies its mind,” the IRF counsel had said.
Meanwhile, Naik has refuted all the allegations made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
Reacting to the court order, he said that he was not a terrorist but someone who spread the message of peace.
“I have never done a rebellion or conducted terrorist acts against humans all my life. I only deliver a message of peace to people. There are certain quarters who do not want peace in this world. So, they make baseless allegations against me,” he told media.
“I have not yet decided to return to India as I am busy with my peace mission. I ask the Indian government to prosecute me in an international court or in Malaysia,” Naik added.
