Dhaka: In a significant policy reversal, the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, is set to host controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for a month-long nationwide tour. This move sharply contrasts with the previous administration of Sheikh Hasina, who had banned Naik's Peace TV following the 2016 Dhaka Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack, after an attacker claimed inspiration from his speeches.
Naik, who is wanted in India by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for charges including hate speech and inciting communal disharmony, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh from November 28 to December 20. This marks his first visit to the country and comes less than a year after he was hosted for a similar nationwide tour in Pakistan.
Indian agencies have consistently flagged the rise of radicalisation in Bangladesh, and analysts suggest this trip is a well-planned move. The preacher is known for propagating radical Islam and his anti-India stance. During his visit to Pakistan, he was reportedly seen meeting with top commanders of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), including individuals designated as terrorists by the United States. His approval for a visit by the Yunus government, which is said to be influenced by the Jamaat-e-Islami, is being viewed as a sign of increasing radicalisation and a welcome sign for anti-India elements, including the ISI.
Naik, who fled India in 2016 and currently resides in Malaysia, has been denied visas by Britain and Canada due to his controversial rhetoric. His impending grand welcome in Dhaka signals a dramatic shift in Bangladesh’s approach to religious extremism and could potentially strain relations with India. Naik (60) left India in 2016 for Malaysia and has managed to get the permanent residency status there. Naik has said that he would not return to India till he felt "safe from unfair prosecution".