The Centre has extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a gazette notification in this regard. IRF was first declared an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 by the Government in November 2016. The ban was subsequently extended in November 2021.
The Home Ministry said that IRF has been indulging in activities which are prejudicial to the security of the country and have the potential of disturbing peace and communal harmony and disrupting the secular fabric of the country.
It also cited speeches and statements made by the Foundation’s founder and President, Dr Zakir Naik, saying that they promoted enmity and hatred among different religious communities and inspiring youths of a particular religion in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.
The notification further stated that the government considers it necessary to curb the organization’s activities to prevent the spread of anti-national sentiments.
