Muslim scholars meet Patil, demand ban on Dr Zakir Nayak's speeches

Mumbai, Nov 7 (UNI) A delegation of city-based Islamic scholars today met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil and demanded a ban on noted Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Nayak delivering speeches and to cancel permission to hold an Islamic conference here.

The delegation, comprising Saeed Noori of Raza Academy, Maulana Sayed Moin Ashraf (president of Jamia Kadriya), Ibrahim Tai (president of Muslim Council of India), met Mr Patil this evening.

Terming a recent TV interview by Dr Nayak as ''highly objectionable'', the delegates said it had hurt the religious feelings of crores of Muslims in the country and abroad.

The delegates said Nayak had organised a world-level Islamic conference in Mumbai on November 14 and included scholars from across the globe ''who are famous for hurting the feelings of a particular sect of the community.'' The delegates told Mr Patil that the Uttar Pradesh government had also imposed a ban on him, barring him from giving provocative speeches.

Mr Patil assured the delegation members that the government would take suitable action after seeking a report from the police department.

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