Mumbai govt to examine Zakir Naik's 'objectionable' speeches

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 7 July directed the Mumbai police to look into controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's speeches. He gave orders to take appropriate action after investigating Naik's 'objectionable' speeches.

The Home Ministry has also said that they will analyse and act appropriately.

This comes hours after Bangladesh asked India to examine his speeches after it was reported that two of the seven terrorists who hacked to death 20 people at a Dhaka cafe last week were inspired by him.

"Already there are certain complaints from the Maulanas of Bangladesh that his (Naik) teachings are not in line with the Quranic teachings and Hadith," information minister Hasanul Haq Inu said on Wednesday.

"How much Naik's teachings influenced the terrorists, that is to be investigated. We are investigating the whole matter," he said.

Inu said New Delhi has been requested to examine Naik's sermons. "I also request the Indian government and information minister that they also examine the context of Dr Naik's teachings," he added.

One of the Dhaka attackers, suspected to be Rohan Imtiaz - the son of a politician of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League - ran a propaganda on Facebook last year quoting 50-year-old Naik, a doctor and an Islamic televangelist, Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star reported.

Naik, a popular but controversial Islamic orator and founder of the Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, is banned in UK and Canada for his hate speeches.