Muslim leaders should sensitise youth on taking right path: BJP

Following reports that at least one of the terrorists involved in a strike on a cafe in Dhaka on July 1 was inspired by Islamic orator Zakir Naik, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson G.V.L. Narasimha Rao on Thursday said Muslim leaders and preachers should guide youth to avoid the path of terrorism.

"Bangladeshi investigators are reporting that some of the terrorists who perpetrated the dastardly and ghastly attack last week actually were influenced by the preachings of Zakir Naik," Rao said.

"In the present scenario, we expect the preachers, the gurus and Muslim leaders to tell the youth to take the right path," Rao told ANI.

The Indian government on July 6 indicated taking action against Naik.

"The Government of India is already examining the matter and all appropriate actions will be taken to ensure that people do not spread this kind of hatred, give any kind of hate messages to stage terror attacks on innocent people across the world," Rao added.

It has been reported that militant Rohan Imtiaz, the son of an Awami League leader, ran propaganda on Facebook last year quoting Naik.

A video has surfaced showing Congress leader Digvijay Singh hailing Naik as the one who spreads peace in the world.

"Now it is not uncommon for political leaders to be at public functions even if its spiritual leaders or others. But, if he's seen praising this particular gentleman, then Mr. Jigvijay Singh has to give clarification and come out openly what his views are on Mr. Naik in terms of the Taliban," said another BJP leader, Nalin Kohli.

Naik, in his lecture aired on Peace TV -- an international Islamic channel -- had reportedly "urged all Muslims to be terrorists".

"Somebody has to understand that terrorism is against humanity. Religion speaks and spiritual thoughts are for humanity. So, anything terrorism does is against humanity and their hardest action has to be there. Anyone who supports terrorism directly or indirectly finds excuses or justification for terrorism and is equally dangerous because they are helping terrorism grow," Kohli added.

Naik is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia.

He is hugely popular in Bangladesh through his Peace TV, although his preachings often demean other religions and even other Muslim sects, the report said.