The Bangladesh government will soon take a decision about banning Peace TV, a channel run by Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.
Published : 09 Jul 2016, 05:05 PM
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu was speaking to bdnews24.com on Saturday, over a week after Dhaka’s deadliest terror attack was carried out by young gunmen, some of whom were followers of this controversial orator.
“We are aware of the allegations against this TV channel. Those will be investigated," he said. “The work will begin as soon as the ministry opens. We will take a stand on the issue without delay.”
Several cable operators in Dhaka have said they are waiting for government directives on Peace TV, a free-to-air channel.
When asked, the minister, said: “The offices will open tomorrow after Eid holidays. We will take a decision soon after that.”
Naik in a video response to NDTV after the Dhaka cafe attack said he was not surprised that one of the gunmen knew him since he “inspires millions across the world”.
He claimed he was 'shocked' to find that four million among the 14 million likes on his Facebook page are by Bangladeshis.
“We want to stop airing the channel in the country," said Mir Hossain Akhtar, head of Bangladesh Cable Owners Association, told bdnews24.com.
The 24-hour channel has already been stopped in some parts of Dhaka, said SM Anwar Parvez, the former chief of the cable operators’ body.
Naik is the founder and president of Peace TV owned by the charity organisation, Islamic Research Foundation, he set up in 1991. The contents in English, Urdu and Bengali are broadcasted from Dubai.
He is banned from entering the UK and Canada and Peace TV is banned in Malaysia.
Mumbai Police have deployed personnel outside the foundation office in South Mumbai as a precautionary measure, reports the Times of India.
According to a report in The Hindu newspaper, Peace TV is banned in India but local cable operators continue to show it. India has boosted efforts to curb the preacher after reports emerged that Indian youths have travelled to fight for the Islamic State.
India forms probe teams
An ANI report carried by indianexpress.com says the government India had formed nine teams to probe Naik’s activities.
The National Investigative Agency (NIA), the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other agencies are involved in the probe.
The report quotes India’s home ministry sources saying four teams have been formed to scan the video footage and CDs of Naik’s speeches, while three teams will scan social sites, and two will look at his Facebook posts.
Initial investigations have found Naik’s speeches to be provocative and objectionable, the report says. The workings of his NGO too have been found to be suspicious.
The sources of his funds, sponsors, and foreign travels are to come under scrutiny as well. The government of India was exploring legal provisions to ban the preacher, says the report.
India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier said the government had taken cognisance of Naik’s controversial speeches.
“We have taken cognizance of Zakir Naik’s speeches and necessary instructions have been issued in this regard. His (Zakir Naik) speeches, CDs are being examined and whatever is justified will be done,” Rajnath is quoted to have told the media in Delhi.
Singh added that the government would in no way compromise on the issue of terrorism.