File FIR against Zakir Naik immediately, demands Congress MP

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik should be booked immediately even if processes to ban his TV channel and organisation may take time, the Congress's Rajya Sabha member from Goa, Shantaram Naik, demanded on Monday.

Addressing a press conference here, he criticised the central government for what he views as delay in filing a first information report (FIR) against Zakir Naik, whose speeches allegedly inspired two of the militants who carried out the July 1 terror attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka that left 22 persons killed.

"I do not know if the central home ministry has conducted a study. If proper study had been done, then an FIR could have been filed. Have they not got a copy of any speech in which he commented against any community or religion? Does it take so much time," Shantaram Naik said.

"I can understand that to ban a (TV) channel or an association, you need time to investigate. But to find out whether the person's speech creates communal hatred or not does not require time," the Congress leader said.

Zakir Naik has denied the charge that his speeches fuel radical Islam and even instigate terrorism. The Union Home Ministry has started an investigation into his activities.

The Congress leader said one of the speeches delivered by Zakir Naik that he listened to did not seem "right".

"If you examine the speeches, you will realise what he has said about a particular community. I heard (him saying) that there should only be one religion and the rest should come under its wing. This is not right, is it?" Shantaram Naik said.

--IANS

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