MHA extends ban on IRF for five more years

New Delhi, Nov 13: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded and headed by Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, for another five years, declaring the organisation an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
The fresh notification issued Friday, comes a day before the existing ban was due to cease on November 14, 2026. The government has directed that the fresh prohibition take effect immediately and remain in force for five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
In the notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that IRF had been engaging in activities prejudicial to the country’s security, with the potential to disturb peace, communal harmony and the secular fabric of the nation.
The notification identifies Dr. Zakir Naik as the founder and President of the organisation and alleges that he and other members of IRF have been encouraging and aiding followers in promoting enmity, hatred and ill-will between different religious communities.
The government has cited Naik’s speeches and public statements, describing them as objectionable and subversive, and alleged that they promote hostility among religious groups and could influence youth towards unlawful activities.
The notification further states that allowing the organization to resume its activities could provide an opportunity to reorganise its activists, propagate anti-national sentiments, disrupt communal harmony and escalate secessionism by supporting militancy.
The Centre said the decision to extend the prohibition was necessary to prevent activities considered prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.
IRF was first declared an unlawful association in November 2016 for a period of five years. The ban was subsequently renewed in November 2021, with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal confirming the government’s declaration in 2022.
The latest notification has been issued under Sections 3(1) and 3(3) of the UAPA, continuing the restrictions on the organization for another five-year period. [KNT]