Rajnath on Zakir Naik: 'No compromise on terrorism'

Amidst allegations that Islamic preacher Zakir Naik was involved in making hate speeches, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said CDs of his speeches are being examined for necessary action and asserted that the government will not compromise on the issue of terrorism.

“We have taken cognisance of Zakir Naik’s speeches and have given necessary instructions for a probe. A thorough investigation will be done. CDs of his speeches are being examined,” Singh said.

The home minister said necessary action will be taken in this regard.

“As far as government is concerned, we will not compromise on terrorism at any cost. Whatever is justified will be done,” he said.

Mumbai-based Naik has come under the scanner after it was reported that his speeches have inspired some of the Dhaka cafe attackers. Maharashtra government on Thursday ordered a probe into the speeches by the Muslim televangelist.

“I have asked the Mumbai police commissioner to conduct a probe (into Naik’s speeches) and submit a report,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

Naik’s speeches, his social media accounts and sources of funding of a foundation run by him in Mumbai will be scrutinised, said Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio.

Naik, however, had released a statement, saying he “totally disagreed” that he inspired the act of killing innocent people in Dhaka. “There is not a single talk of mine where I encouraged one to kill another, whether Muslim or non-Muslim,” he said.

The new Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had called Naik’s speeches, as being reported in the media, as highly objectionable.

“The home ministry will study (his speeches) and take appropriate action after studying them,” he had told reporters.

Naik’s speeches are believed to have inspired some of the Bangladeshi militants, who killed 22 people, mostly foreigners, at an upscale restaurant in Dhaka last Friday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded action against Naik, saying he was a “threat” to national security as it was clear from his speeches that he “incited” people.