New Delhi: The Centre has extended the ban on Islamic preacher Zakir Naik-founded Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years, declaring the organisation an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a fresh notification on Friday, November 13, citing alleged activities prejudicial to India’s national security, public order and communal harmony. The decision comes just a day before the existing five-year ban was scheduled to expire on November 14.

The government has accused the organisation and its founder, Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, of promoting religious disharmony, encouraging hostility between communities and spreading statements that could threaten the country’s sovereignty, integrity and security.

The latest order means the IRF will remain banned for another five years from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, subject to the statutory legal process under the UAPA.

Why has the Centre extended the ban?

According to the Home Ministry’s notification, the government believes that the IRF and its members, particularly its founder and president Zakir Naik, have encouraged followers to promote enmity, hatred and ill-will between different religious communities.

The ministry has cited several grounds for its decision, including:

• Allegedly objectionable and subversive speeches and statements made by Zakir Naik.

• Promotion of hostility and hatred among different religious communities.

• Alleged attempts to inspire young people in India and abroad to engage in terrorist activities.

• Dissemination of radical statements and speeches through international satellite television networks, the internet, print publications and social media.

The government has further expressed apprehension that, without continued restrictions, the organisation could reorganise its absconding activists, promote communal disharmony, encourage separatist activities and support militancy.

These are allegations and assessments cited by the government in its notification and should be distinguished from independently established criminal findings against individual members.

The Modi government has extended the ban on Zakir Naik-led Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) as an unlawful association under UAPA for another five years.

The decision underscores our government’s continued focus on preventing activities that threaten national security, promote communal disharmony and undermine India’s sovereignty and integrity.

𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲. 🛡️🇮🇳

— BJP (@BJP4India) November 13, 2026

Third major extension since 2016

The Islamic Research Foundation was established by Zakir Naik in Mumbai in February 1991. The organisation was first declared an unlawful association by the Centre on November 17, 2016, under Section 3 of the UAPA.

The prohibition was subsequently extended on November 15, 2021, for another five years.

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal confirmed the original declaration in May 2017 and the subsequent extension in March 2022.

The latest notification, issued on November 13, 2026, marks the third five-year period of prohibition since the organisation was first banned. The government acted immediately before the existing prohibition was due to expire.

What does the UAPA provision mean?

The latest decision has been taken under Sections 3(1) and 3(3) of the UAPA, which empower the Central Government to declare an association unlawful and specify the duration of such a declaration.

However, the law also provides for judicial scrutiny through an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal under Section 4. The tribunal examines whether sufficient cause exists for declaring an organisation unlawful.

The latest notification states that the five-year prohibition will remain subject to any order that may be passed under Section 4.

Thus, the extension is not merely an administrative restriction without legal oversight; it is subject to the statutory adjudication process prescribed under the Act.

Who is Zakir Naik?

Zakir Naik, a former medical doctor, founded the Islamic Research Foundation in Mumbai in 1991. He became widely known for his religious lectures and comparative-religion programmes, which attracted audiences through television and online platforms.

His speeches and public statements have repeatedly attracted controversy and scrutiny from Indian authorities. The government has accused him of promoting religious hatred and radicalising sections of his audience.

Naik left India in 2016 and has since been based in Malaysia. He has rejected allegations against him and has maintained that his statements have been misrepresented.

The Indian government’s actions against the IRF and Naik have consequently remained a significant subject of legal and political attention.

Focus on national security and communal harmony

The Home Ministry has maintained that the organisation’s activities could affect India’s internal security and social stability. The government has also expressed concern over the reach of Naik’s speeches through international media platforms, arguing that their influence extends beyond India’s borders.

The latest decision reflects the Centre’s continued position that restrictions on the IRF are necessary to prevent activities it considers detrimental to national security and communal harmony.

The extension also places the organisation under another five-year period of prohibition, while leaving the statutory tribunal process available under the UAPA.