Yesterday, sections of national media reported that Zakir Naik, the disgraced Islamic evangelist, will return to India from Malaysia. He is facing terror charges in the country. The Narendra Modi government started acting against him in 2016, years after the previous UPA regime appeased him allegedly in return for donations.

However, Naik's return to the country has turned out to be a fake news. The preacher doesn't want to come back because he feels persecuted in India. "The news of my coming to India is totally baseless and false. I have no plans to come to India till I don't feel safe from unfair prosecution. Insha Allah when I feel that the government will be just and fair, I will surely return to my homeland," Naik yesterday said in a statement.

Sections of intelligentsia have commented that the evangelist should come back to India and submit to the law. "Zakir Naik has been rejected by many Muslim countries. As far as coming back to India is concerned, Modi govt has shown intent. If he comes back then he will get an opportunity like any other terror accused, said Shehzad Jai Hind, a lawyer. The BJP has described Naik as a fugitive.