What is likely to raise a red flag against Dr Zakir Naik is that not just two of the seven terrorists who hacked to death 20 people at a Dhaka cafe on Friday were inspired by controversial Indian preacher Zakir Naik.



According to sources, Ibrahim Yazdhani, the chief of Hyderabad module of ISIS was deeply influenced by the controversial Islamic preacher. He had watched speeches of Naik many years ago on a local television channel.

Sources say Ibrahim even attended Naik's 10-day-long camp as a volunteer in 2010. Earlier there were reports of at least two attackers who were influenced by the controversial religious preacher.

One of the attackers, suspected to be Rohan Imtiaz - the son of a politician of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League - posted a message on Facebook quoting Naik, a Mumbai-based doctor and an Islamic televangelist, as per some media reports.



NO EVIDENCE AGAINST NAIK

Responding to the report, the home ministry said that there is "no formal request" from Bangladesh for Zakir Naik. "We have to have evidence to produce before court for arresting him," Minister of State Kiren Rijiju told reporters in New Delhi.

Even top sources in NIA echoed the sentiment. "There may be many who follow such a preacher, but that cannot make a case against such a person," they said. So far NIA has not explored possibility of questioning the preacher.

Naik's speeches are broadcasted on Peace TV across the sub-continent, even in China with a record viewership. He is said to be wildly popular in Bangladesh.



NAIK BANNED IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES

Naik, who is the founder of the Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, is banned in many countries including UK and Canada for his inflammatory speeches. He is also among the 16 Islamic scholars banned in Malaysia.

Once bitten twice shy, the Ministry of Home Affairs also said there cannot be any knee-jerk reaction by banning such an organisation. Kiren Rijuju said we don't believe in banning individuals or organisation.

Although 1,000 Indian muftis and clerics issued fatwa against ISIS, there seems to be presence of not just ISIS recruits but also motivator.

The Hyderabad operation was purely intelligence based. After 11 were picked up, 5 were arrested including Ibrahim who is the chief of Hyderabad module.

Also read:

Nabbed ISIS suspects from Hyderabad vowed to serve Baghdadi: NIA

Hyderabad: ISIS suspects stored explosives in kitchen, used basement for target practice

