In short: The Union home ministry has extended, by another five years, the declaration of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The government's allegations are stated in the notification; they are not findings of a court.
What has happened?
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a notification continuing the ban on the IRF, an organisation founded by preacher Zakir Naik, for five more years. The order was signed by home ministry joint secretary Rakesh Rathi, according to Hindustan Times.
A quick timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 2016 | IRF first declared an unlawful association for five years |
| November 2021 | Declaration extended for another five years |
| 14 November 2026 | Date on which the existing declaration was to expire |
| Friday (this week's notification) | Declaration extended by a further five years |
What does the government say?
According to the notification, as reported, the IRF and its members, particularly its founder-president, are alleged to be encouraging and helping followers promote enmity, hatred and ill-will between religious communities. The government says these activities threaten the country's integrity and security.
- The notification calls speeches and statements by Naik "inflammatory and subversive", and alleges he incited young people of a particular religion, in India and abroad, to commit terrorist acts.
- It says he addressed millions of people worldwide through satellite television, the internet, print and social media.
- It also warns of communal disharmony, damage to the country's secular fabric, anti-national sentiment, support for terrorism and encouragement of separatism.
These are the government's allegations. This article does not assess them.
What does "unlawful association" mean?
Here, the ban now runs for another five years. The sources do not set out the detailed procedure or the consequences for individual members, so this article does not go into them.
Background on Zakir Naik
Reports say Naik left India in 2016 and is currently based in Malaysia. Hindustan Times reports that India has repeatedly sought his extradition to face charges of money laundering and incitement to extremism. Those charges are allegations, and the sources do not report any outcome.
Who is affected, and what should readers do?
The decision directly concerns the IRF and its members. For most readers, nothing changes in daily life. If you are connected with the organisation, or unsure whether an activity is covered by the notification, read the official notification itself and consult a qualified lawyer. Matters involving the UAPA are serious and fact-specific.
Frequently asked questions
For how long is the IRF banned now?
The Centre has extended the declaration by five years, following earlier five-year periods that began in November 2016 and November 2021.
Has a court found the allegations to be true?
The sources describe the allegations as those made in the home ministry's notification. They do not report any court finding on them.
Sources
- Times of India: Centre extends ban on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for 5 years
- Hindustan Times: Centre extends ban on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for 5 more years