The Union home ministry will soon ban controversial preacher Zakir Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation from receiving foreign funding. The ministry has already sent a notice to the organisation for cancelling its registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act (FCRA).
Confirming the receipt of the notice sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Naik’s lawyer Mubin Solkar, speaking to The Asian Age, said, “We have received notice from the MHA to revoke FCRA and given 30 days’ time to respond to it. We are studying the contents of the notice and will give a proper reply within the stipulated period.”
Claiming that the issuance of showcause notice against IRF is “malafide, unjustified and unwarranted”, Mr Solkar further said, “Some time ago, a team of officials from Foreign Contribution Regulation Act had inspected the accounts of IRF in great detail. It did not reveal any violations. Following this, high-ranking MHA officials known for their honesty and integrity recently renewed the FCRA registration of IRF. Hence, the action of issuing showcause notice is clearly motivated.-"
Meanwhile, the ministry has also initiated the process for bringing Mr Naik's another NGO, IRF Educational Trust, under the 'prior permission' category, which would prevent the outfit from getting any foreign donations without getting approval from the Centre.
Sources said the decision is taken after investigations carried out by multiple security agencies revealed the IRF is allegedly using the donations for radicalising youth and -"inspiring-" them for terror activities.
The home ministry's foreigners division has inadvertently renewed IRF's FCRA licence in September, following which five officers, including a joint secretary level official, was placed under suspension.
The Centre is also planning crackdown against the IRF by declaring it an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and will soon approach the Union Cabinet with a formal proposal. According to the draft note, inputs received from intelligence agencies has revealed that Mr Naik has made several provocative speeches while engaging in terror propaganda.
Maharashtra Police has already registered criminal cases against him for allegedly radicalising youths and luring them into terror activities, sources said.
