Venkaiah hints at action against Zakir Naik, says speeches highly objectionable

Calling Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's speeches "highly objectionable", the government on Thursday said the home ministry will take appropriate action after studying them.

"The home ministry will study (his speeches). It will take appropriate action after studying them. His speeches, as being reported in the media, are highly objectionable," Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters.

Naidu's remarks came a day after Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju hinted at action against the preacher, whose speeches are believed to have inspired one of the five Bangladeshi terrorists, who killed 22 people at a restaurant in Dhaka.

"Zakir Naik's speech is a matter of concern for us. Our agencies are working on this. But as a minister, I will not comment what action will be taken," he had said.