World

India orders probe against Dr Zakir Naik after reports of scholar 'inspiring' Dhaka militant

Bangladeshi media had earlier claimed one of the Dhaka cafe attackers was inspired by Naik's speech

News Desk July 08, 2016

A file photo of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.

India's Maharashtra state chief minister on Thursday ordered a probe against Islamic scholar and preacher Dr Zakir Naik, whose ‘hate speech’ was reported to have inspired one of the five Dhaka cafe attackers.

"I have asked the Mumbai Commissioner of Police DD Padsalgikar to inquire against him (Naik) and submit a report at the earliest," Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said.

Zakir Naik’s Mumbai office cordoned off by police as 'precautionary measure'

The Mumbai Police was also directed to probe against Naik's source of funding/donations, properties and local cable operators telecasting his speech across the state, News-18 reported.

Earlier, police was deployed outside Naik's Mumbai office. A senior Mumbai Police official said security personnel were deployed outside Naik’s ‘Islamic Research Foundation’ office at Dongri area in South Mumbai, as a precautionary measure in the wake of the recent developments.

“We have neither received any threat perception nor particular instructions from the state or central government. We have deployed our forces only as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident,” the official said.

He, however, parried question on whether Mumbai Police has received any particular information or instruction to share some inputs on Naik.

Naik, however, rejected all reports and said, "It is totally illogical to say that I promote terrorism. Not a single investigative agency says Dr Zakir Naik promotes terrorism. The Home Ministry is most welcome to go through all my speeches."

Firebomb thrown at Malaysia office after politician calls Zakir Naik ‘satan’

"I inspire many people because I have a large following. These people might have been inspired by me but I don't know them personally," Naik added.

On Wednesday, union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju told reporters in New Delhi: “Zakir Naik’s speech is a matter of concern for us. Our agencies are working on this. But as a minister, I will not comment what action will be taken.”

Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star had reported that militant Rohan Imtiaz, son of an Awami League leader, ran a propaganda on Facebook last year quoting Naik.

Bangladesh asks India to examine Zakir Naik’s speeches

Bangladesh has asked India to examine the speeches of Mumbai-based preacher Zakir Naik after reports that two of the seven terrorists who hacked to death 20 people at a Dhaka cafe last week were inspired by him, NDTV reported.

Bangladesh police trying to confirm ID of Dhaka attackers

“Already there are certain complaints from the Maulanas of Bangladesh that his [Naik] teachings are not in line with the Quranic teachings and Hadith,” information minister Hasanul Haq Inu said on Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on News-18.

COMMENTS (8)

kadwa sach | 7 years ago | Reply Zakir Naik is banned in a number of countries where he has been denied entry visa. He is even ostracized by many Muslim scholars and research organizations because his "strain" of Islam, under the garb of "peace for all", is actually a vehicle that encourages brutal violence and total subjugation of other religions. The man's attire in a Western suit and tie but sporting a Muslim skull cap, are at odds with his stone-age wahabi ideology. The world has seen enough brutality and senseless violence against innocent civilians who happen to be at the wrong time and place when religion-inspired terrorists struck. I do hope that the authorities in India investigate this man's entire operations, including his funding which ostensibly comes from Saudi Arabia.

M.S. | 7 years ago | Reply It's impossible to fight terrorism without eliminating such preachers, hate mongers and supporters of terrorism. Zakir is fully supported by Saudi Arabia which is a undeniable proof of his terrorist mentality.