In the wake of him attending an event of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in 2012, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Thursday said all provocative speeches by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians should be banned.
“If the speeches are to be banned…all provocative speeches on religion by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians should be banned,” Singh told media in Delhi.
Issuing a clarification, Singh said he spoke against religious fundamentalism and terrorism in his speech at the conference organised by Zakir Naik, adding that he had also appealed for communal harmony.
“The conference was for communal harmony and against terrorism. It was also to explain that Islam is against innocents being killed,” he added.
“If the government of India or the government of Bangladesh has any evidence against Zakir Naik’s involvement with ISIS they should take action against him,” he said in a series of tweets.
Naik is in the midst of a controversy after his ‘hate speech’ was reported to have inspired one of the five Bangladeshi militants involved to indulge in the July 1 terror attack on an upscale cafe in Dhaka’s Gulshan suburb.
The video shows Digvijay Singh saying that people like Zakir Naik can bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims.
“Zakir should travel all over India. I am very happy that he is spreading the message of peace,” he said. “We need your message to reach the country,” Singh had told Zakir Naik back then.
The office bearers of his organization ‘ Islamic Research Foundation’ in Mumbai’s Dongri are being questioned by a team of the Mumbai Police.
Zakir Naik is reportedly in Saudi Arabia for a religious pilgrimage and would return to India on July 11.
Meanwhile, responding to demands for ban on Zakir Naik and his Islamic Research Foundation, Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu had said that the government is keeping a close watch over the situation and will take all necessary steps when needed.
“His speech and whatever is coming in newspapers is objectionable. Home Ministry will analyse everything. UN should come out strongly not only to condemn but also to see proper steps are taken to contain all such forces. Terror has no religion or region, it is a threat to the humanity. Entire world must unite together,” Naidu said.
