NEW DELHI, Nov. 14 -- The Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Friday extended the ban on controversial television evangelist Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), stressing that the outfit remained involved in activities prejudicial to national security and communal harmony. Union home minister Amit Shah hailed the move, accusing the outfit of propagating a "venomous ideology" of terrorism and separatism. The home ministry said the IRF and its founder-president, Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, have continued to encourage and aid followers in promoting enmity, hatred, and ill-will between different religious communities. "The statements and speeches made by Dr Zakir Naik, the president of the IRF, are objectionable and subversive," the notification, signed by home ministry joint secretary Rakesh Rathi, said, adding that Naik has made radical statements and speeches to millions worldwide. It added that IRF will disrupt the secular fabric of the country by polluting the minds of the people by creating communal. In a post on X, Shah said: "Led by fugitive terror preacher Dr Zakir Naik, the organisation has been involved in sinister anti-India designs, including inciting communal hatred and promoting terrorism." "In steadfast adherence to PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision of zero tolerance towards terrorism and anti-national activities, MHA extends the ban on the Islamic Research Foundation as an unlawful association under the UAPA." Naik fled India in 2016, shortly after terrorists responsible for an attack at a cafe in Dhaka, Bangladesh, claimed to be inspired by him....