Police report severely indicts preacher: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Following a report submitted to him on Tuesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that controversial chief of Islamic Research Foundation and Peace TV, Zakir Naik, has been “indicted” by Mumbai police, which found him to be allegedly involved in unlawful activities with terror links.

Speaking on the report, he said that the Mumbai police has established that Naik had links with Indian Mujahideen and Jamat Ud Dawa and a ‘watertight’ case is being prepared. Mr Fadnavis added that efforts are on to extradite Naik, who is currently abroad. He said that due action will be taken in this regard following consultation with the ministry of external affairs. “The report has made observations about him (Naik) making (critical) comments on other religion and belittling them — an action that would cause disharmony in society. The report also has details of countries that have banned him or his organisations. The government is examining the report which have several aspects that are in the domain of the Centre,” Mr Fadnavis said. “There are many revelations in the report about illegal and unlawful activities (allegedly involving Naik and IRF) and activities which are not in interest of the nation. The report has shed light on aspects like his relation with Firoz Deshmukh, a terror accused arrested by the ATS,” he said.

Agreed that prima facie there have been violations, Mr Fadnavis said that the Centre and the state will jointly take a decision about course of action. “We will collaborate with MHA and work to bring Naik back to India. Government will press for extradition of Naik if he does not return on his own from abroad. We have bilateral treaty against terrorism with most of the countries and it will help us detain Naik.”

On news of Naik being in Saudi Arabia and India having no such treaty with it, Mr Fadnavis said, “We have good relation with Saudi Arabia and hope of receiving support from them. There is zero tolerance policy against terrorism across the world.”

On whether Maharashtra will ban Naik’s Peace TV channel and IRF, he said, “Many countries have already banned his channel.

But the final call will be taken after consultation with MHA.”

Meanwhile, IRF has denied all allegations and reports about the organisation and Naik.

“IRF is not privy to the police commissioner’s report. But from the reports put across in the media, IRF wants to reiterate that the allegations are false and baseless. Dr Zakir Naik firmly believes in promoting peace and harmony and has been doing that for decades,” stated an IRF statement.

“Dr Naik or IRF has not received any notice from the MHA or any governmental agency as of now, and hence we are unable to comment on it. IRF is a research body that promotes greater awareness of Islam and its tenets. Dr Naik is an expert in comparative religion and has been conducting well-researched talks on Islam and other religions across the world,” the statement further stated.

It added that Dr Zakir Naik emphasises on teachings of Islam, which is not unconstitutional, and preaching and propagating one’s religion is allowed by article 25 of the Indian Constitution.