Zakir Naik row: Action is being taken against suspended MHA officials, says Rijiju

New Delhi: Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday said that action is being taken against the three suspended Home Ministry officials for renewing the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence of Zakir Naik's NGO, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).

Rijiju said that the defaulters were from the foreigners division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"We have taken action against some officers in the foreigners division of the Ministry of Home Affairs because they did not follow the rules and the instruction of the government," said Rijiju.

"We are very clear that any organisation, which is involved in some illegal activities or case is pending we don't renew their licenses. So, there was some lapse found and action is being taken," he added.

Three junior Home Ministry officials were removed on Thursday after it was found that Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation's FCRA licence was renewed recently despite several ongoing probes against him.

According to sources, the license for Naik's NGO was renewed on August 19 even as the government initiated the inquiry against him and his organisation. An FCRA license allows an NGO to receive foreign donations.

After the Holey Artisan Cafe in Dhaka was stormed by gunmen in July, Bangladesh had complained to India about Zakir Naik and the IRF. Dhaka had alleged that the IRF and Naik's speeches may have motivated the youth.