Pro-Naik protests worry MHA, but it can do little
New Delhi/Kochi/Jaipur: Central security agencies are watching with concern the recent protests organised by Popular Front of India (PFI) in Bihar and Rajasthan in support of Mumbai-based Salafist preacher Zakir Naik, who is under the lens for his alleged pro-terror rants. Sources in the intelligence agencies say PFI has decided to throw its weight behind Naik, who it feels has done no wrong and is being “targeted” by the government. Not only this, it has decided to take up Naik’s cause and mobilize Muslims for protests and rallies across various centres against the government’s plans to go after the televangelist as well as his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).
The home ministry realises that even as it keeps tabs on these pro-Naik protests, it can do little to stop PFI unless a prima facie terror case is made out against the preacher, who is now out of the country.
The ministry has already sought the law ministry’s opinion on whether Naik could be booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for the pro-terror content identified in some of his speeches. “Only after Naik is charged with instigating his followers to take up terrorism can we act against PFI,” said an officer.
Incidentally, PFI has been under the scanner of security agencies ever since it was involved in chopping of the palm of a college professor in Thodupuzha (Kerala) in 2010. At the time, a ban on PFI, given that many of its cadres had been associated with the banned SIMI, was discussed. But the proposal was shelved as just 1-2 cases were not enough to ban an outfit under UAPA. But PFI has been under watch. “It has been noticed that the campaign and issues taken up by PFI are more communal in nature than those related to terror. For example, it has been agitating on Babri demolition, Gujarat riots and lack of legal aid to Muslims,” said an intelligence official.
As PFI plans rallies in support of Naik across Rajasthan, state unit president Anees Ansari told “Our protest is within the line of Constitution. Naik is an Islamic preacher who has expertise in comparative religion. The tirade against him is a major conspiracy of saffron forces”.Formed in 2004 after the merger of NDF with Manitha Neethi Pasarai (MNP) in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Forum for Dignity, PFI has presence in 18 states. NDF came into being in 1993 riding on the Muslim sentiments after the Babri mosque demolition.
The most sensational incident in which PFI was involved was the chopping of the palm of a teacher of Newman College in Thodupuzha for preparing a question paper that allegedly insulted Prophet Mohammad. As many as 13 PDI-SDPI workers were found guilty in the case. In January, 2016, a special court in Kochi convicted 21 SDPI-PFI workers for holding a militant training camp at Narath in Kannur district.
NEW DELHI: The agencies have begun examining the speeches and activities of Mumbai preacher Zakir Naik after investigations into the Read more
MUMBAI: A small glass door in a modest Dongri building opens to a spartan ground floor meeting room. From there Read more
NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday directed the Mumbai Police to initiate an inquiry into Islamic preacher Read more
NAVI MUMBAI/KALYAN: The Kerala police along with the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad arrested Arshid Qureshi , alleged to be a member Read more
