New Delhi: The Central Government has officially extended the ban on controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s organisation, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), for another five years. The stringent measure has been executed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), maintaining the group’s status as an unlawful association.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the organisation has been actively involved in inciting Indian youth toward radicalisation and terrorist activities. The government accused the IRF, its founder Zakir Naik, and its active members of indulging in activities designed to promote enmity and hatred among different religious communities. Authorities further stated that the organisation’s inflammatory speeches and operations pose a severe threat to the secular fabric, communal harmony, and overall national security of the country.
The IRF was first declared an unlawful association by the Centre on November 17, 2016. Following the expiration of the initial period, the ban was extended for a subsequent five years on November 15, 2021. In April 2022, a designated UAPA Tribunal formally upheld the government’s 2021 notification. The tribunal, after reviewing the presented evidence and conducting hearings, concluded that there were more than sufficient legal grounds to keep the organisation outlawed. With this latest government notification, the IRF will remain prohibited from operating for an additional five-year cycle.
Zakir Naik, who is wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies on multiple serious charges—including money laundering and delivering provocative hate speeches—fled India in 2016. He currently resides in Malaysia, where he has been granted permanent residency.
The extension of the ban on his organisation coincides with recent diplomatic developments regarding his legal status. On November 3, 2026, the Malaysian government formally informed its parliament that it will not extradite Zakir Naik to India. This parliamentary statement came weeks after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the issue of Naik’s extradition was directly raised during his bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite India’s persistent requests, Naik continues to operate from his base in Malaysia.