• Centre extends the IRF ban for another five years.
• Islamic Research Foundation declared unlawful under UAPA.
• Organisation was first banned in 2016.
• Zakir Naik remains abroad and is under NIA investigation.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 13th Nov: The Centre has extended the IRF ban for another five years, declaring Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the notification on Friday, marking the third extension of the ban on the organisation. The IRF was first banned in 2016.

According to the government notification, the Centre believes that failure to curb the organisation’s alleged unlawful activities could allow it to continue subversive activities, reorganise absconding activists and promote communal disharmony.

The notification also cited concerns over the alleged propagation of anti-national sentiments, support for militancy and activities considered prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.

Invoking Sections 3(1) and 3(3) of the UAPA, 1967, the government declared the IRF an unlawful association and ordered that the notification would remain in force for five years from its publication in the Official Gazette, subject to any order under Section 4 of the Act.

Zakir Naik, who is currently abroad, is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) over alleged terror-related activities.

Born in Mumbai, Naik left India following the July 1, 2016, bombing at a café in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has faced allegations of promoting hatred between communities through his Peace TV broadcasts and social media platforms, where he has a large following.

The latest decision continues the government’s restrictions on the organisation under the UAPA.