New Delhi, November 13: The Central Government has extended the ban on Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The decision has been taken over concerns related to national security and communal harmony.
In a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the government has declared the organisation an unlawful association with immediate effect. The ban will remain in force for five years from the date the notification is published in the Official Gazette.
The Islamic Research Foundation was first banned in November 2016 under Section 3 of the UAPA. The ban was later approved by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal in May 2017. It was extended again in November 2021, and the tribunal upheld the decision in March 2022.
In its latest notification, the Centre stated that the organisation and its members, particularly its founder and president Zakir Naik, were allegedly involved in activities that could affect the country’s security and disturb peace among different religious communities.
The government alleged that Naik had delivered speeches and made statements that could create hatred and tension between people belonging to different religions.
It further claimed that his speeches had influenced some young people in India and abroad towards terrorist activities. According to the notification, his statements had reached millions of people through television, the internet, newspapers and social media.
The Centre also expressed concern that the organisation could restart its alleged activities, bring its members together again, spread communal tension and promote anti-national views if restrictions were not continued.
The government has used its powers under Sections 3(1) and 3(3) of the UAPA to extend the ban for another five years. The order will remain effective subject to any decision taken under Section 4 of the Act.
The extension was announced as the existing five-year ban on the organisation was scheduled to end on November 14, 2026.
