Zakir Naik calls off return to India due to 'ever-changing' schedule

Zakir Naik, the controversial Islamic preacher, has called off his return to India. Naik was supposed to reach Mumbai from Saudi Arabia on Monday morning and address a press conference, reported NDTV. The Islamic Research Foundation too confirmed that Zakir Naik wouldn’t be arriving in Mumbai, according to a DNA report. [caption id=“attachment_2879202” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Zakir Naik. Youtube screengrab[/caption] Zakir Naik’s spokesperson informed the media that the press conference that was to take place on Tuesday in Mumbai, has been cancelled and that a new date would be set soon, the DNA report added. The reason for the cancellation of his return to India has been attributed to his ’ever-changing’ schedule, an IRF trustee told DNA. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has demanded his immediate arrest upon his arrival to India from Saudi Arabia, reported Times Now. Also, a report in Hindustan Times had speculated police interrogation involving detailed questioning for Naik, following his arrival in Mumbai, as a special team had been set up to investigate the preacher and his activities. Zakir Naik had come under the scanner when reports of one of the young militants of the Dhaka attack having been inspired by the Islamic scholar surfaced. Following the reports, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the CDs of Zakir Naik’s speeches were being examined for necessary action and asserted that the government will not compromise on the issue of terrorism. Bangladesh government on Sunday banned the broadcasting of controversial preacher Zakir Naik’s Peace TV channel. However, despite all allegations, Naik has maintained that he does not support or propagate killing of innocent people. “My speeches on Islam and terror are being taken out of context”,  Naik had said in an interview with CNN-News18.