Cable operators have started stopping broadcast of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s channel ‘Peace TV’ throughout Bangladesh hours after the government issued an order cancelling its downlink permission.
Published : 11 Jul 2016, 05:51 PM
The information ministry issued the order on Monday, a day after the Cabinet committee on law and order decided to take the channel off air.
The government also banned the online broadcast of Peace TV, and the closing of its URLs on social media and video-sharing sites were already underway, BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood told bdnews24.com.
The decision followed allegations that the Indian preacher’s speeches, sermons and explanation of Islam-related issues were ‘inspiring acts of terrorism’ and those had a radicalising influence on youths.
The information ministry order read, “Based on the Cabinet committee’s decision, the foreign free-to-air TV channel Peace TV’s downlink permission has been cancelled for violating downlink conditions.”
It also asked all relevant authorities to stop the broadcast of the channel across the country. Copies of the order were sent to the home ministry, Press Information Department, Bangladesh Television and the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB).
Former COAB president SM Anwar Parvez told bdnews24.com that they took initiatives right after receiving the order on Monday.
“Unofficially, Peace TV went off air in many places of the country (Sunday). Association leaders also met today after the order was issued,” he said.
He added, “Broadcast of the channel in the divisional cities and towns has already stopped. It will go off air completely around the county by today. We have notified all the cable operators in the country.”
Zakir Naik is the founder and president of Mumbai-based charity organisation Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), which owns Peace TV. The contents in English, Urdu and Bangla are telecast from Dubai.
Initial investigations by Indian authorities have found Naik’s speeches to be provocative and objectionable. His explanations on Islam-related issues had also touched off controversies in many instances.
At least two of the attackers who killed 20 hostages inside Holey Artisan Bakery and O’ Kitchen at Gulshan-2 on Jul 1 night were said to have been his followers on the social media.
Reports have also emerged that several Indian youths inspired by Naik’s speeches have made their way to fight alongside the Islamic State in Syria.
The Indian government on Friday launched a multi-pronged inquiry into controversies around the speeches and "online sermons" of the self-styled preacher.
While the Indian home ministry called for investigations by intelligence agencies, the Maharashtra government started probing Naik for his alleged radicalising influence on youths.
Police were also deployed outside the IRF office in South Mumbai.
India’s Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told ‘The Indian Express’ on Friday, “I made enquiries with my officers. It is a matter concerning security of our country and social harmony.”
With demand for a ban on Peace TV in Bangladesh growing, several cable operators in Dhaka had said they were waiting for government directives on the free-to-air channel.
Then on Sunday, the Cabinet committee on law and order in a special meeting decided to ban the channel.
Later same day, at a meeting with the owners and CEOs of the country’s private television stations, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said the administrative steps would be taken on Monday morning to take Peace TV off air.
“Peace TV is not consistent with many things of the Muslim society, the Quran, Sunnah, Hadith, Bangladesh’s Constitution, our culture, customs and rituals,” he said.