Zakir Naik-led IRF propagated ideology of terrorism, separatism, fomented communal discord: Amit Shah

Published 13 Nov 2026, 14:39 IST

What's behind this

The government has extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), led by fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, for another five years. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the outfit is involved in “sinister anti‑India designs” and has been propagating an ideology of terrorism and separatism, instigating violent unrest, encouraging the regrouping of absconding terrorists and fomenting communal discord. The extension was made under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Critics argue the law is being applied selectively against Muslim organisations while similar groups remain unbanned.

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New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), led by fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, had been found propagating an ideology of terrorism and separatism, instigating violent unrest, encouraging the regrouping of absconding terrorists and fomenting…

Coverage arrived over 6 hours. First from Hindustan Times, latest from Deccan Herald.

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First reported by Hindustan Times at 04:56 UTC on 13 Nov.

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Compare all reporting outlets (24)

Hindustan Times HT Media 13 Nov 2026, 10:26 IST

Centre extends ban on Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation for 5 more years

The home ministry said the IRF andZakir Naik continued to encourage and aid followers in promoting enmity, hatred, and ill-will between different religious communities

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27 minutes later
The Times of India Bennett, Coleman & Co. 13 Nov 2026, 10:54 IST

Centre extends ban on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for 5 years

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22 minutes later
ABP Live ABP Group 13 Nov 2026, 11:16 IST

Centre Extends Ban On Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation For Another 5 Years

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday extended the ban on controversial televangelist Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The ministry said the organisation continued to engage in activities…

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2 minutes later
The Tribune The Tribune Trust 13 Nov 2026, 11:18 IST

Centre extends ban on Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation as unlawful association by 5 years

The Centre has extended the ban on controversial preacher Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) as an unlawful association for another five years. This is the third extension of the ban, which was first imposed in 2016 for five years and subsequently extended in 2021. A notification issued…

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1 minute later
The Indian Express Indian Express Group 13 Nov 2026, 11:20 IST

Centre bans Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation for 5 more years

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7 minutes later
Rising Kashmir Rising Kashmir 13 Nov 2026, 11:27 IST

MHA extends ban on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for another five years under UAPA

New Delhi , Nov 13 : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday extended the ban on controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) as an unlawful association for a period of another five years, pointing out that the institution has been indulging in activities…

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Moments later
India TV Independent News Service 13 Nov 2026, 11:28 IST

Centre extends ban on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for five more years

The Centre on Friday extended the ban on wanted Indian fugitive Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing the group is involved in disturbing communal harmony and disrupting the secular fabric of the country.

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16 minutes later
The Siasat Daily Siasat Daily 13 Nov 2026, 11:44 IST

Zakir Naik’s IRF remains banned as Centre extends ‘unlawful’ tag

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday, November 13, announced the extension of the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), headed by Dr Zakir Naik, as an “unlawful association” for another five years. The Central government had declared the IRF as an “unlawful association” on…

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8 minutes later
Deccan Chronicle Deccan Chronicle Holdings 13 Nov 2026, 11:53 IST

Centre Extends Ban On Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation By 5 Years

Home Ministry Cites Threats To National Security, Communal Harmony And Secular Fabric

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3 minutes later
Kashmir Observer Kashmir Observer 13 Nov 2026, 11:57 IST

Ban on Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation Extended

Kashmir, Observer, Jammu, Srinagar, Latest Kashmir News, Kashmir News, Kashmir Latest News The Union Home Ministry on Friday extended the ban on controversial preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for another five years, noting it has been indulging in activities that are prejudicial to…

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4 minutes later
The Federal New Generation Media Corporation Pvt. Ltd. 13 Nov 2026, 12:01 IST

Centre extends ban on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for another five years

The decision was issued under the UAPA after the ban was upheld by a tribunal. The ministry cited speeches and activities it said promoted religious enmity

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4 minutes later
Mathrubhumi English Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co. 13 Nov 2026, 12:06 IST

Why Centre extended ban on Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for another 5 years

The Union Home Ministry has extended the ban on controversial preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for another five years under the anti-terror law UAPA.

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44 minutes later
The National Herald The Associated Journals Ltd. 13 Nov 2026, 12:50 IST

Centre extends five-year ban on Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation

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5 minutes later
The Hindu Kasturi & Sons Ltd. 13 Nov 2026, 12:55 IST

MHA declares Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation unlawful for another five years

This is the third time that the ban against IRF has been extended. The outfit was first banned in 2016

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1 minute later
NDTV Adani Group (AMG Media) 13 Nov 2026, 12:56 IST

Centre Extends Ban On Hate Preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation

The statements and speeches made by Naik are objectionable and subversive and he has been promoting enmity and hatred amongst different religious groups, the ministry said.

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1 minute later
The Pioneer The Pioneer 13 Nov 2026, 12:57 IST

Centre bans Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for another five years

Hyderabad: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday (November 13) extended the ban on Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing concerns over national security and communal harmony. The…

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2 minutes later
The Shillong Times The Shillong Times 13 Nov 2026, 12:59 IST

Centre extends five-year ban on Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation

New Delhi, Nov 13: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday announced the extension of the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), headed by Dr Zakir Naik, as an “unlawful association” for another five years. The Central government had declared the IRF as an “unlawful association” on…

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29 minutes later
The Assam Tribune Assam Tribune Group 13 Nov 2026, 13:29 IST

Zakir Naik’s islamic research foundation faces five more years of ban

New Delhi, Nov 13 : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday announced the extension of the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), headed by Dr Zakir Naik, as an "unlawful association" for another five years. The Central government had declared the IRF as an "unlawful association" on…

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21 minutes later
Free Press Kashmir Free Press Kashmir 13 Nov 2026, 13:51 IST

GoI extends ban on Zakir Naik-led Islamic Research Foundation for another five years under UAPA

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), headed by Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, declaring it an unlawful association for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The organisation was…

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6 minutes later
Kashmir Life Kashmir Life 13 Nov 2026, 13:57 IST

MHA Extends Ban on Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation for Another Five Years

SRINAGAR: The Centre on Friday extended the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), founded by Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing concerns over national security and communal harmony. In a notification issued by the…

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41 minutes later
Deccan Herald The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd. Current article 13 Nov 2026, 14:39 IST

Zakir Naik-led IRF propagated ideology of terrorism, separatism, fomented communal discord: Amit Shah

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), led by fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, had been found propagating an ideology of terrorism and separatism, instigating violent unrest, encouraging the regrouping of absconding terrorists and fomenting…

Read at Deccan Herald ↗
58 minutes later
The New Indian Express Express Publications (Madurai) Ltd. 13 Nov 2026, 15:37 IST

Zakir Naik's IRF propagated terrorism, separatism and fomented communal discord: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), led by fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, had been found propagating an ideology of terrorism and separatism, instigating violent unrest, encouraging the regrouping of absconding terrorists and fomenting communal discord…

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19 minutes later
Maktoob Media Maktoob Media 13 Nov 2026, 15:57 IST

Union govt extends ban on veteran scholar Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation for five years under UAPA

The Union government has extended its UAPA ban on Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation for another five years, drawing criticism that the law is applied selectively against Muslim organisations while Hindu right-wing groups facing serious allegations go unbanned.

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43 minutes later
India Today Living Media India 13 Nov 2026, 16:40 IST

Zakir Naik-led IRF faces 5 more years of ban over terror activities

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