Bangladesh Readies To Rolls Out Red Carpet For India Hater Zakir Naik

NEW DELHI- Following the 2016 Dhaka Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack, the Sheikh Hasina government had banned Zakir Naik’s Peace TV. The decision was taken after one of the attackers revealed that he and his associates were inspired by Naik’s speeches.

Now, the Bangladesh government, led by Muhammad Yunus, is reportedly set to roll out the red carpet for Naik. This move is seen as another sign of the country’s increasing radicalization following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. The Yunus government has approved a month-long visit by Naik, which is scheduled to begin on November 28 and end on December 20. During this period, Naik is expected to travel across the country and deliver speeches.

Naik is known for delivering speeches that propagate for radical Islam and has often supported terror groups openly. He is wanted in India in several cases filed by the National Investigation Agency relating to hate speeches and inciting communal disharmony.

The upcoming visit to Bangladesh would be Naik’s first, and it also comes within a year of Pakistan hosting him for a similar nationwide tour. 

Naik is known for his anti-India stance. While in India, through his NGOs, he allegedly indulged in several anti-India activities. His name has also surfaced in several forced conversion cases in Kerala, which were linked with the banned Popular Front of India.

Naik’s visit to Bangladesh comes at a time when Indian agencies have been flagging the rise of radicalization in the country. The Yunus government, which is said to be influenced by the Jamaat-e-Islami, has released scores of terrorists and encouraged radicalization. It has also allegedly welcomed the ISI, which is said to be carrying out anti-India activities in Bangladesh.

Analysts suggest that Naik’s trip to Bangladesh is a well-thought-out plan. If his Pakistan visit is any indicator, he might also meet with the chiefs of terror groups. During his Pakistan tour, he reportedly met with Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi, Muhammad Harris Dhar, and Faisal Nadeem, top commanders of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. All these persons have been designated terrorists by the United States since 2008.

In 2016, following the Dhaka attack, Naik immediately fled India. One of the bombers had said that he was inspired by Naik’s speech on YouTube. Naik currently lives in Malaysia and has been denied visas by Britain and Canada. (IANS)