‘Hindu Saints Ate Beef’: Zakir Naik Sparks Row as India Raises Concern Over Fugitive’s ‘Red-Carpet’ Welcome by Pakistan – News18

India has expressed concern over how Pakistan laid down the red carpet for fugitive Zakir Naik as he made controversial statements during his visit to the neighbouring country. “Hindus eat beef, their saints ate beef and mutton too,” Naik said during his ongoing visit to Pakistan.

Top Intelligence sources said this was another attempt by Pakistan, after shelter to Sikh terrorists, to use Zakir Naik for radicalisation of Muslims.

“A fugitive wanted in ED, NIA and other central agencies’ cases in India is state guest of Pakistan. He is on a month-long visit and state protection is given to him. It’s surprising that Pakistan PM is meeting a wanted accused. This is Pakistan ISI who gave clearance for his month long visit,” sources said.

Zakir Naik Makes Controversial Statements

“If you ask me for my personal opinion, beef ban is a political issue because crores of Hindus also eat beef. It’s written in their books, even their saints ate beef and mutton,” Naik said. “After the new government came, beef has been banned in many states. If you harass a girl, there is a punishment of three years and if you eat beef, there is a punishment of five years. What kind of logic is this,” Naik said in an interview to Pakistani media.

Speaking on Israel-Gaza war, Naik said, “Allah’s plan is the best of plans, which a person comes to know about later. For example, if Allah Ta’ala wanted Palestine to win in one day, he could have done it, but he did not do it because Allah is a better planner. If Allah had made them win in one day, then thousands of people would not have supported Palestine today in the war that lasted for a year. After the incident on October 7, 99 percent of non-Muslims were in favor of Israel, but today 99 percent of people are saying that Gaza is right.”

He sparked another controversy by leaving the stage abruptly during an event hosted by the Pakistan Sweet Home Foundation, which supports orphaned girls, on Wednesday. Naik was invited to present awards to the young orphaned girls but exited the venue when the host called them for felicitation.

The incident occurred when the announcer referred to the girls as “daughters”. Naik said it was inappropriate for the announcer to refer to the girls as his “daughters”. “You cannot touch them or call them your daughters,” he said, citing that the girls were considered “non-mahrams”. In Islamic terminology, “non-mahrams” refers to individuals who are not closely related and are thus eligible for marriage.

Case Against Naik in India

Since 2016, Naik has been residing in Malaysia following the initiation of legal proceedings against him by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA). The NIA has charged him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (now known as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita). This came after the July 2016 Dhaka terror attack, where one of the perpetrators confessed to being influenced by Naik’s sermons on his YouTube channel.

India has sought Naik’s extradition to face charges, but Malaysia has yet to comply with this request.