The Centre has extended the prohibition on the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years, declaring the organisation an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification in the Gazette of India on November 13, 2026, under Section 3(1) and Section 3(3) of the Act. The notification, numbered S.O. 6182(E), states that the declaration will remain in force for five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, subject to any order passed under Section 4 of the Act.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Centre extends the IRF prohibition for another five years.
Home Ministry notification issued on November 13, 2026.
Gazette notification number: S.O. 6182(E).
Action taken under the UAPA, 1967.
IRF was first declared an unlawful association in November 2016.
Previous prohibition was extended in November 2021.
The IRF was first declared an unlawful association on November 17, 2016. The prohibition was subsequently extended on November 15, 2021. The previous five-year ban was due to expire on November 14, 2026.
In the latest notification, the Home Ministry stated that the organisation had been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the country, with the potential to disturb peace and communal harmony and disrupt the secular fabric of the nation.
The notification also referred to the activities and statements of IRF founder and president Dr Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, popularly known as Dr Zakir Naik. The government alleged that he had encouraged and aided followers in promoting disharmony, enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious communities.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The decision continues the legal restrictions on the Islamic Research Foundation under India's anti-terrorism law. It reflects the government's stated concerns about national security, communal harmony and activities it considers prejudicial to India's sovereignty and integrity.
Among the grounds cited by the Ministry were statements and speeches attributed to Naik, which it described as objectionable and subversive. The notification alleged that these statements promoted hatred among religious groups and inspired youths of a particular religion in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.
The Ministry further expressed concern that, if the organisation's activities were not curbed, it could continue subversive activities, reorganise absconding activists, promote anti-national sentiments and support activities prejudicial to India's sovereignty, integrity and security.
The Centre said the circumstances made it necessary to declare the IRF an unlawful association for another five years with immediate effect.
