NEW DELHI: The Indian government on Tuesday banned Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), the NGO of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik , as an 'unlawful organisation' for five years with immediate effect, reports The Times of India.
The ban has been enforced under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and approved at a meeting of the Union Cabinet.
Indian media had earlier reported that the government intended to ban IRF, citing Naik's "objectionable and subversive" speeches, the criminal cases filed against him and other members of IRF in Mumbai and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Kerala, as well as his "dubious" links with Peace TV that allegedly features "communal" and "pro-jihad" content as grounds for such a ban.
