Centre has begun a probe into the CDs of Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik whose content alleged to have inspired at least two Bangladeshi youth involved in the gruesome terror attack in the heart of Dhaka.
Simultaneously, the foreigners division of Union home ministry has also started investigations into the funding of Naik's trust Islamic Research foundation that enjoys the FCRA facility, said sources adding that various the Intelligence Bureau from 2006-07 onward are being looked into to assess if Naik in anyway promoted terrorism or anti-national feelings.
The ministry is expected to come out with an advisory warning cable operators against showing Peace TV that was banned in 2012 during UPA's regime. Sources said that Venkaiah Naidu spoke to Rajnath Singh after attending a meeting on the issue.
Agencies have also been asked to find out the funding pattern of Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and Dubai based Peace TV. Considered by many as an authority on comparative analysis of Islam with other religions, Zakir Naik is the president and founder of both the organisations.
Sources, however, conceded that it may be very difficult to prove charges of promoting violence or hatred against Zakir Naik.
The union home ministry swung into action soon after the Maharashtra government ordered a probe and Information and Broadcasting minister Venkaiah Naidu promised action against the banned Peace TV that is still being shown by cable operators.
"We have taken cognisance of Zakir Naik's speeches and have given necessary instructions for a probe. A thorough investigation will be done. CDs of his speeches are being examined, said adding that "As far as government is concerned, we will not compromise on terrorism at any cost. Whatever is justified will be done,"union home minister Rajnath Singh said.
Meanwhile, Naik in a statement said that he "totally disagreed" with allegations that he inspired the act of killing innocent people in Dhaka. "There is not a single talk of mine where I encouraged one to kill another, whether Muslim or non-Muslim," he said.
As expected the issue developed into a slug-fest between BJP and Congress as both flung allegation and counter allegations on each other. BJP that has already targeted Digvijaya Singh for sharing stage with Naik termed the latter as Khalnaik.
"Congress is infamous for politicising terror and glorifying terrorists,"said BJP spokesperson Shrikant Sharma.
In turn, Digvijaya Singh questioned Rajnath Singh presence at a function that was attended by 2008 Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Thakur. He also posed a question to the ruling party, wondering what it would say about Sri Sri Ravi Shankar sharing the stage with Zakir Naik.
