New Delhi, November 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Centre has extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), headed by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, declaring it an “unlawful association” for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs announced the decision on Friday, ahead of the expiry of the existing ban on November 14, 2026.
The government had first declared the IRF an unlawful association on November 15, 2021, under Section 3(1) of the UAPA.
In its statement, the Ministry said the organisation and its members, particularly its founder and president, Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, had allegedly been encouraging followers to promote religious disharmony and feelings of enmity, hatred and ill-will between different communities.
The MHA cited what it described as objectionable and subversive speeches and statements by Naik, alleging that these promoted hostility among religious groups and inspired young people in India and abroad to engage in terrorist activities.
The Ministry also accused him of using international satellite television networks, the internet, print media and social media to disseminate radical messages to millions of people worldwide.
The government said that failing to curb the organisation’s alleged activities could allow it to reorganise absconding activists, spread communal disharmony, propagate anti-national sentiments and support militancy and secessionism.
The Centre maintained that extending the ban was necessary to protect India’s sovereignty, integrity, security and secular fabric.
The extension has been ordered under the provisions of the UAPA, which empower the government to declare an organisation unlawful and continue such restrictions in accordance with the law.
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