Centre didn’t leak funding details of Rajiv Trust: Rijiju

What exactly did I do now to earn the tags of “terror preacher”, “Dr. Terror”? I do not say this just for me, but because this ban will set a precedence of unspeakable injustices against the 20 crore Muslims of India. Of 150 countries where I am respected, I am called a “terrorist influencer” in my own country. What an irony!,” the 50-year-old televangelist asked.

He accused the government of having “pre-decided notion” of “banning the organisation after they failed to gather even a shred of evidence” during months of investigation in late 2014 which continued till early 2015. But now investigators are being asked to repeat and continue the probe. He also sought to know if the Gandhi family-run RGF was duly registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and if it was allowed to accept contributions from another NGO. And that it seemed “illogical”.

Referring to Prasad’s comments, Surjewala in the statement added: “What is utterly shocking is the fact that a Union Cabinet Minister, who has sworn by the Constitution, is asking questions about documents and facts, which are in possession of the Government and are being leaked by them mischievously”.

Naik, a medical doctor-turned-Salafist preacher, said the entire row in the last few months have come as a “shock” to him and termed it as “murder of democracy and strangulation of fundamental rights.”.

Condemning Naik, Rijiju said it was unfortunate that rather than thinking about what the Congress has done, the Islamic preacher was making unnecessary accusations. “Isn’t this person the most basic proof of forced conversion?”

September 11: Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said there is no question of the government leaking out information or documents as far as the renewing of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s NGO is concerned.

Prasad yesterday also questioned the Congress as to how the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation received a sum of Rs. 50 lakhs from Naik in 2011.

A decision to refund the donation of Rs 50 lakh was taken in July in a meeting that was chaired by Sonia Gandhi. Whether the money has been returned or not is a matter between them.

The Home Ministry had suspended Joint Secretary G K Dwivedi, who was heading the foreigners division which deals with the FCRA related issues, and three other officials for renewing the licence of IRF.