The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday, 13 November 2026, extended the ban on fugitive radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), declaring it an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for another five years, as reported in The Hindu.
This marks the third extension of the ban on the organisation, which was first declared unlawful in 2016.
In its notification, the Central Government stated that allowing the IRF to continue its activities could enable it to reorganise its absconding activists, promote communal disharmony and propagate anti-national sentiments.
The government further warned that the organisation could escalate secessionist activities by supporting militancy and undertake activities prejudicial to India’s sovereignty, integrity and security.
The notification stated, “In exercise of the powers by Sub-sections (1) and (3) of Section 3 of the UAPA, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) as an unlawful association and directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under Section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the official Gazette.”
Naik, who is currently residing abroad, is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) over alleged terror-related activities.
Born in Mumbai, Naik left India following the July 1, 2016, bombing at a café in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has been accused of spreading hatred between different religious communities through his Peace TV network and social media platforms, where he has a following of over 20 million people.
Government extends ban on Islamic Research Foundation for another five years. https://t.co/NRsyWKPxfV
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 13, 2026
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
