In a decisive move, India has blocked access to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s X (formerly Twitter) account within the country. This action came just hours after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly condemned Pakistan for warmly welcoming Naik during his ongoing month-long visit to the neighbouring country.
Zakir Naik, a fugitive wanted by Indian authorities for charges of money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speech, arrived in Pakistan earlier this week on an official invitation from the government. The Indian government’s swift move to block Naik’s social media account highlights the growing diplomatic strain between New Delhi and Islamabad, following Naik’s high-profile reception in Pakistan.
MEA condemns Pakistan’s welcome for Naik
Addressing the media, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed India’s dismay at the Pakistani government’s decision to host Naik, stating, “We have seen reports that Zakir Naik has been feted in Pakistan. He has been warmly welcomed there.”
Jaiswal added, “It is not surprising for us that an Indian fugitive has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is something which is disappointing and condemnable but at the same time it is not surprising.”
India has long sought Naik’s extradition due to his alleged involvement in promoting extremism. Naik, however, continues to evade Indian authorities and has been living in Malaysia since 2016, after legal proceedings were initiated against him in India.
Diplomatic concerns over Naik’s visit to Pakistan
Zakir Naik’s visit to Pakistan has further strained relations between the two countries, with India questioning the legitimacy of Naik’s presence in Pakistan. In response to queries about Naik’s passport, Jaiswal remarked that India is unclear about the document Naik used to travel to Pakistan.
During his month-long visit, Naik has been granted a red-carpet welcome and has held high-level meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The radical preacher is also scheduled to deliver a series of public speeches in major cities such as Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore, raising concerns over the potential spread of his extremist rhetoric.
Naik’s controversial past and legal troubles in India
Zakir Naik has been on India’s radar for several years due to his provocative speeches that allegedly promote extremism and radicalization. The controversy surrounding Naik escalated following the 2016 Dhaka terror attack, where one of the perpetrators admitted to being influenced by Naik’s sermons on YouTube. This revelation led to heightened scrutiny of Naik’s activities, culminating in Indian authorities filing multiple charges against him, including money laundering and hate speech.
In response, India revoked Naik’s passport and requested his extradition from Malaysia, where he has been residing since 2016. Despite multiple requests, Malaysia has yet to respond to India’s demands. Naik, however, has continued to operate his television channel Peace TV and actively engages with his followers through social media platforms, including X, where his content has sparked widespread criticism.
Previous bans and actions against Naik
India has previously taken strict actions against Zakir Naik and his organizations. In 2016, the Indian government banned his NGO, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing its involvement in promoting hate speech and religious intolerance. The ban on Naik’s Peace TV channel followed soon after, as authorities accused the channel of broadcasting provocative content aimed at inciting religious extremism.
In 2017, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally charged Naik with inciting terror and promoting enmity between religious groups. The agency also seized his properties in Mumbai, including his educational institutions, as part of a crackdown on his operations.
Renewed tensions and diplomatic implications
Naik’s current visit to Pakistan has reignited diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi viewing Islamabad’s decision to host the preacher as an affront to its legal efforts. India’s swift blocking of Naik’s X account is seen as part of a broader strategy to curb his influence within the country.
As Naik continues his public appearances in Pakistan, India’s concerns over his extremist ideology persist. The MEA’s condemnation, coupled with the blocking of his social media presence, reflects India’s ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of extremist narratives and ensure accountability for those who incite violence.
Background on Zakir Naik’s legal troubles
-2016 Dhaka Attack: Naik’s sermons were cited as inspiration by one of the attackers involved in the deadly Dhaka café siege.
-2016 Ban: India banned Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation and Peace TV channel under anti-terrorism laws.
-2017 Charges: The NIA filed formal charges against Naik for inciting terror and promoting religious enmity.
-Current Extradition Status: India has requested Naik’s extradition from Malaysia, but no response has been provided yet.
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