Zakir Naik blames media for showing doctored clips

MUMBAI: Zakir Naik attacked sections of the media at his nearly six hour video conference on Friday, accusing it of maligning him and using doctored footage.

The Islamic preacher said that the video where he is shown justifying suicide bombing is “edited and has been tampered with… I challenge you to show me proof of any unedited video, or a lecture where I have not condemned suicide bombings. You’ve seen doctored clips, my statements have been tampered (with). The media should be finding the people who are using Dr Naik’s popularity to doctor clips and spread these messages. Those who altered (the footage) should be behind the bars.”

When asked how Peace TV had been on the air without a licence, he said: “There is no ban on us, since we only didn’t get a permission for downlinking.”

He said that the channel had been a victim of discrimination.

“We had applied for permission in 2008 and again in 2012. However, the information and broadcasting ministry denied permission saying it was for security/confidential reasons,” Naik said.

“Since it is a Muslim channel, an Islamic channel, hence I&B denied permission.” He was also non-committal about returning to India to face questioning by the authorities.

“I am an NRI (non-resident Indian), most of the time I am outside. I was planning to come to India for a one-and-a-half day trip to answer the queries. However, I didn’t because of the media trial,” Naik said.

On sustained questioning, he said he “may visit” India next year.

He, however, said that he would be available to answer any queries posed by the authorities. Naik refused to answer any questions on Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi, another leader of the terrorist grouping, saying he hadn’t heard about them. H

e also refused to answer questions on Osama bin Laden, saying that he hadn’t known him. T

he press conference also saw Naik direct insults at some of the questioners. He also threatened defamation cases against TV channels for airing “doctored” videos.