Huge setback for controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik as Bangladesh bans Peace TV

Dhaka: It's a huge blow for Zakir Naik.

In a major setback to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, Bangladesh government has banned his Peace TV.

Bangladesh has now completely banned the broadcast of Zakir Naik's Peace TV.

The decision to ban the Mumbai-based preacher's 'Peace TV Bangla' was taken during a special meeting of Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Industry Minister AAmir Hossain Amu, who chaired the meeting said.

In the meeting, attended by senior ministers and top security officials, it was also decided to monitor the sermons given during the Friday prayers to check whether any provocative lectures are delivered, Amu told reporters

The government also appealed to the Imams in the country to deliver lectures in line with real Islamic ideology of denouncing terrorism and extremism, the minister said.

Also, BJP on Saturday had called for restricting broadcast of 'Peace TV', which telecasts sermons of controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, in Kolkata and urged for legal proceedings and prompt measures to limit "potentially communal and terror-evoking channels".

The controversy over Zakir Naik erupted in the wake of the recent attack in a Dhaka cafe.

It was reported that Zakir Naik's 'hate speeches' inspired one of the five Bangladeshi militants, who hacked to death 22 people at an upscale cafe in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave last week.

Also, Bangladesh had asked India to examine the speeches of Zakir Naik.

Earlier, on Thursday, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had directed the Mumbai Police officials to initiate inquiry against Zakir Naik. The probe will include inquiry into his all public documents, speeches and social media posts.