Zakir Naik gave Rs 50 lakhs to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation in 2011: Subramanian Swamy

Zakir Naik shot into prominence recently after an accused allegedly involved in a terror attack in Bangladesh claimed he was inspired by the Islamic preacher's teachings.

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy on Friday stoked a row by saying that controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik gave Rs 50 lakhs to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation in 2011.

The NRI televangelist shot into prominence recently after an accused allegedly involved in a terror attack in Bangladesh claimed he was inspired by Naik's preaching and teachings.

After that the Mumbai Police examined several of Naik's sermons, speeches and his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) literature to ascertain if he was using provocative or inflammatory language that had the potential to create a communal rift.

Taking to Twitter, Swamy said:

Guess how that notorious terrorist compliant Zakir Naik gave to TDK's RG Foundation? Rs 50 lakes in 2011 — Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) September 9, 2016

The televangelist is on a tour of some Arab and African countries since the past couple of months and addressed Mumbai media via teleconferencing on July 15.

The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation was established in 1991 to realise the vision of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.