New Delhi, Jul 7 (IANS): Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, facing flak for having dubbed controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik a "messenger of peace" in 2012, on Thursday said that if the Indian or Bangladeshi government found any evidence linking Naik to the Islamic State terror group, they should act against him.
Naik is under the scanner following revelations that two of the five young militants who massacred 20 hostages, including an Indian, at a popular cafe in Dhaka on July 1 drew their inspiration from his speeches.
"If government of India (GOI) or the government of Bangladesh has any evidence against Zakir Naik's involvement with ISIS (Islamic State) they should take action against him," Singh tweeted.
Singh's tweets came after an online video surfaced showing him at an event sharing the stage and a hug with Naik, and at a conference in 2012 where he called the Islamic preacher a "messenger of peace."
"I have heard many times the name of Zakir Naik. I am happy to hear that he (Naik) is spreading message of peace all over the world," Singh said, praising the scholar in the controversial video.
The video was broadcast on Peace TV, which is run by Naik.
Reacting to the controversy, Singh in a tweet claimed that "the conference was for communal harmony and against terrorism. Also to explain that Islam is against innocents being killed."
Defending his presence alongside Naik at the event, Singh tweeted: "My speech at conference organised by Zakir Naik is being shown. I spoke against religious fundamentalism and appealed for communal harmony."
On Wednesday, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters that Naik’s speeches are a "matter of concern for us" and that government agencies "are working on this".
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said Naik's speeches are objectionable, and indicated that the government may take action against him.
"The Home Ministry will analyse everything," Naidu said.
Naik, founder of Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation, is banned in the United Kingdom and Canada for his hate speeches aimed against other religions.
However, Congress defended Singh by saying he has clarified himself on the issue.
"Digvijay Singh ji has himself clarified that all that he said was an appeal for peace, harmony and brotherhood of all," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.
"Congress party has always believed that there is no place in India as also in our society for extremism or for thought process that goes against the idea of India. Obscure extremist thought processes have no place in India's society including in the entire world order," he added.
Surjewala further said: "These are are the anti-thesis of extremist and militant thought processes. Any individual or any organisation that has stated anything or done any act that goes against these tenets must be acted upon by government of India in accordance with law and strictest punishment must be given to such individual or organisation."
On Thursday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into the speeches, writings and other materials of Naik, President of Islamic Research Foundation.
Digvijay rakes up Rajnath's alleged meeting with Pragya Thakur
New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI): Hitting back at BJP for targeting him over sharing dais with controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, Congress leader Digvijay Singh today raked up the issue of BJP leader Rajnath Singh's alleged meeting with 2008 Malegaon blast accused Pragya Thakur.
He also posed a question to the ruling party, wondering what it would say about Sri Sri Ravi Shankar sharing the stage with Zakir.
"I am being criticised for sharing stage with Zakir Naik but what about Rajnath Singh ji meeting bomb blast accused Pragya Thakur ?"
"Pragya is an accused in bomb blast. Is there a case against Zakir Naik as yet? What about Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji sharing stage with Zakir ?", he said in a series of tweets.
The Congress leader has in the past too alleged that Rajnath Singh had met Pragya in jail when BJP was in the opposition. Rajnath Singh, who is now the Union Home Mnister, had then denied meeting her.
Digvijay Singh is being targeted by the BJP after surfacing of a 2012 video showing him praising Zakir, who has come under government scrutiny after reports emerged that terrorists involved in Dhaka attack were inspired by him.
BJP said Zakir was a "threat" to national security as it was clear from his speeches that he "incited" people.
"Terrorism is enemy of humanity. Anybody who directly or indirectly abets it is guilty. People like him (Zakir) are a threat to our national security. Government agencies should decide on action against him under the existing legal system. It is clear that he incited people," party national secretary Shrikant Sharma said yesterday.
Citing Digvijay's comments, he said, "It is in Congress' character to politicise and glorify terrorism. Its leaders used terms like Hafiz saab and Osama ji for terrorists.
"They questioned the sacrifice of Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma in Batla House encounter and claimed their president Sonia Gandhi cried whole night over the killings (of terrorists) in the encounter."
Digvijay has 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 had said.