New Delhi, November 13: The Central Government has extended the ban on Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing concerns over national security and activities allegedly promoting religious hatred.
According to a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry on Friday, the organisation has once again been declared an unlawful association. The decision comes just a day before the existing five-year ban was scheduled to expire on November 14, 2026.
The government alleged that the foundation and its members, particularly its founder and president, Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, had engaged in activities promoting hostility between religious communities and undermining India’s sovereignty, integrity and security.
The notification further alleged that Naik’s speeches encouraged religious enmity and influenced young people in India and abroad towards terrorist activities. It also accused him of spreading radical content through satellite television, the internet, print media and social media platforms, reaching millions of people worldwide.
The Home Ministry stated that continuing the prohibition was necessary to prevent the organisation from resuming activities that could threaten national security, promote separatism and disturb communal harmony.
The Islamic Research Foundation was first banned on November 17, 2016, under the UAPA. The declaration was subsequently upheld by a tribunal, with its order published on May 22, 2017.
The Centre renewed the ban on November 15, 2021, and that decision was also upheld by a UAPA tribunal in March 2022.
Exercising its powers under Sections 3(1) and 3(3) of the UAPA, the government has now imposed another five-year prohibition, effective immediately from the publication of the notification in the Official Gazette.
However, the fresh declaration remains subject to the statutory tribunal review process under Section 4 of the Act.
The notification was issued by Joint Secretary Rakesh Rathi. The government order detailed its allegations against the organisation; however, it did not include any response from Zakir Naik or the Islamic Research Foundation.
