India to ban Islamist preacher Zakir Naik’s Peace TV mobile app?

The controversial Islamic scholar Zakir Naik’s Peace TV mobile app and social media handles are facing a ban in India.

According to ZEE News, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is considering a ban on Peace TV’s mobile app, social media handles and its YouTube channel in India for spreading hatred and inciting religious sentiments through its network.

The report adds that Naik is already under the India government’s scanner over his alleged anti-India activities after controversial videos shared on Naik’s YouTube channel. Reportedly, Naik said that there are less than 60 percent Hindus in India, so all Muslims should unite and elect their leaders and vote for those parties which favour their cause.

In the UK, Peace TV and Peace TV Urdu were fined a total of £300,000 earlier this year for spreading hate speech and highly offensive content. After further breaches, Ofcom moved to suspend Peace TV Urdu’s licence in November 2019, and both licences were surrendered.