The controversial televangelist Zakir Naik is again in highlights for holding a press conference via video conferencing at a venue in Mazagaon, Mumbai. The sources revealed that he didn’t manage to get a venue for his conference and it was after a lot of efforts and three failed attempts that he has managed to address a press meet. He termed himself a “messenger of peace” and clarified that he has no plans till the date of returning India this year.
He was live from Medina over Skype and the meeting lasted for almost 5 hours and 10 minutes. Addressing the media, he completely refused the allegations of promoting terrorism. He said that the video clips shown by the media are ‘doctored’ which are shown with the intention to corrupt his image.
“I have been giving lectures for more than 25 years, there is not a single talk of mine where I have encouraged any human being to kill any other innocent human being, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. I am totally against terrorism…,” Naik said. He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said “Prime Minister Modi was banned in more countries than I am. But just because he won the elections, the situation for him has changed. See the Gujarat riots…So many cases have been filed against him. But nobody will ask him anything because he is the Prime Minister,” he added. He seemed to be furious over the ruling Central Government stating that the fanatical forces are becoming powering under Modi’s rule. Mr. Naik alleged that he is a victim of Indian media trial and no Indian security agency has approached him to inquire about any allegations of “influencing” the terrorists responsible for Dhaka attack.
