Bangladesh govt doesn’t believe I inspired terror act, says Zakir Naik

“I have appealed for communal harmony and opposed religious fundamentalism and terrorism by either Hindus or Muslims”, the Congress leader had said.

With demand for a ban on Peace TV in Bangladesh growing, several cable operators in Dhaka have said they were waiting for government directives on the free-to-air channel.

Naik, a popular but controversial Islamic orator and founder of the Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, is banned in United Kingdom and Canada for his hate speeches.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the Mumbai Police officials to open an inquiry against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, Zee News reports.

The government has been monitoring Naik’s speeches ever since media reports claimed that the Islamic preacher inspired some of the militants who took hostages at a Dhaka restaurant and killed more than 22 people.

“So the committee has made a decision to stop the broadcast of Peace TV”.

He, however, added that the government was yet to decide on banning the broadcast of his ‘Peace TV Bangla’.

Condemning the attacks in Bangladesh, Naidu said terrorism has no religion or region and called for the entire world to unite against it.

When asked if Naik will be arrested after he lands in Mumbai from Mecca, the Mumbai police spokesman DCP (Operations) Ashok Dudhe said, “It is premature to say anything at present, as we have initiated the enquiry into (the speeches of) Naik”. Six days later, terrorist attacked police guarding the largest Eid gathering in Bangladesh and killed three more people.

“Any content being broadcast in violation of the guidelines, action will be taken against them to the extent that confiscation of their entire broadcasting equipment”, Rahore told reporters. “That is a different issue that he was my fan”, Naik said in a video released in Mumbai.

Speaking to media on Thursday, Indian Minister of Union Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu termed Naik’s speeches as “objectionable” and said the ministry of home affairs would take appropriate action against the preacher after the investigation.

BJP said Zakir was a “threat” to national security as it was clear from his speeches that he “incited” people.