Updated

Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI): As the controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik faces heat, the Maharashtra government today ordered a probe into his speeches that were reported to have inspired some of the Dhaka attackers while the Centre said "appropriate action" will be taken against him.

As Mumbai-based Naik came under the scanner, senior Congress leader Digivjaya Singh was in BJP's line of fire after a 2012 video showing him share a dais with the 50-year- old televangelist praising him at an event to promote communal harmony surfaced today. The video in which Singh said Naik is a "man of peace" also triggered a slugfest between BJP and Congress.

Security personnel were deployed outside Naik's 'Islamic Research Foundation' office at Dongri area in South Mumbai as a precautionary measure in the wake of the escalating row over his alleged hate speeches.

Naik for his part released a statement, saying he "totally disagreed" that he inspired the act of killing innocent people in Dhaka. "There is not a single talk of mine where I encouraged one to kill another, whether Muslim or non-Muslim."

"I have asked the Mumbai Police Commissioner to conduct a probe (into Naik's speeches) and submit a report," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI.

Everything, including Naik's speeches, his social media accounts, sources of funding (of a foundation run by him in Mumbai) will be scrutinised, said Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio.

The new Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu called Naik's speeches, as being reported in the media, as highly objectionable
"The Home Ministry will study (his speeches). It will take appropriate action after studying them," he told reporters in Delhi.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju yesterday hinted at action against Naik after looking into whether the preacher through his speeches glorifies terrorist acts by Muslims.

Naik's speeches are believed to have inspired some of the Bangladeshi militants, who killed 22 people, mostly foreigners, at an upscale restaurant in Dhaka last Friday.

Digvijay Singh, who was seen praising Naik in the 2012 video, defended himself, saying if there was any evidence against the preacher, then the Indian and Bangladeshi governments should take action against him.

"I have appealed for communal harmony and opposed religious fundamentalism and terrorism by either Hindus or Muslims," the Congress leader added.

However, BJP was quick to target Singh and also demanded action against Naik, saying he was a "threat" to national security as it was clear from his speeches that he "incited" people.

Citing Singh's comments, BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said, "It is in Congress' character to politicise and glorify terrorism. Its leaders used terms like Hafiz saab and Osama ji for terrorists.

Responding to BJP's attack, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said there was no place in Indian society for obscurantist and extremist thoughts and Congress party has always fought the forces of hate and division which have threatened India's integrity.

Coming to the defence of Singh, Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the senior leader has himself stated that he only appealed for peace, harmony and brotherhood.

Earlier Report

Police deployed at Mumbai office of Dr Zakir Naik

Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI): Police have been deployed outside the city office of a foundation run by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, whose 'hate speech' is reported to have inspired one of the five Bangladeshi militants involved in the recent Dhaka carnage.

A senior Mumbai Police official said security personnel have been deployed outside Naik's 'Islamic Research Foundation' office at Dongri area in South Mumbai, as a precautionary measure in the wake of the recent developments.

"We have neither received any threat perception nor particular instructions from the state or Central government. We have deployed our forces only as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident," the official told PTI.

He, however, parried question on whether Mumbai Police has received any particular information or instruction to share some inputs on Naik.

"There is nothing as such. This is something which is being handled at the state and Central government level. But as a law enforcing agency, we are keeping a close eye on the situation," the official said.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju had yesterday told reporters in Delhi that, "Zakir Naik's speech is a matter of concern for us. Our agencies are working on this. But as a minister, I will not comment what action will be taken."

Bangladeshi newspaper 'Daily Star' had reported that militant Rohan Imtiaz, son of an Awami League leader, ran a propaganda on Facebook last year quoting Naik.

Naik, in his lecture aired on Peace TV, an international Islamic channel, had reportedly "urged all Muslims to be terrorists".

The controversial Islamic orator and founder of Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation is banned in the UK and Canada for his 'hate speech' aimed at other religions. He is among 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia.

He is known in Bangladesh through his Peace TV, although his preachings often demean other religions and even other Muslim sects, the report said.

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant yesterday said he had written to the Union Home Minister, demanding a ban on Naik and Islamic Research Foundation, in the country's interest.

Last week, Islamist gunmen stormed a popular restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave and killed 22 people, most of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the US in an attack claimed by the Islamic State.