India bans Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation to 'safeguard national security'

The court has ruled that the government order was 'not arbitrary'

Dr Zakir Naik

Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) was banned from India to "safeguard national security", according to the Delhi High Court.

The court has ruled that the government order was “not arbitrary” and is legal, amid fears people could be “radicalised” by the group.

Dr Naik is an Indian Islamic preacher and has been banned from entering the UK and Canada because of his radical talks.

“The decision by the Union of India was taken in the interest to safeguard the sovereignty, integrity and national security of India,” Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said, according to India Express.

Dr Naik has responded to the ban and denied the accusations that have been levelled against him.

“I have never done a rebellion or conducted terrorist acts against humans all my life. I only deliver a message of peace to people,” he told Malaysian newspaper Sinar Harian.

“There are certain quarters who do not want peace in this world. So, they make baseless allegations against me.

“I ask the Indian government to prosecute me in an international court or in Malaysia,” he added.