UPSC Coaching Centre for Muslims received donations from terrorism linked trusts and organizations: Sudarshan TV tells Supreme Court

Sudarshan TV has informed the Supreme Court that it has used words like "UPSC Jehad" in the TV show citing infiltration in the civil services by Muslims given that Zakat Foundation of India (ZFI), a coaching institute for Muslim UPSC aspirants, has received funds from various terror-linked organizations. .The Supreme Court was hearing a petition by Advocate Firoz Iqbal Khan seeking a stay on the broadcast of the program "Bindaas Bol' by the channel on the ground that it would disturb the communal fabric of the country and that it was biased against Muslims..The top Court is also hearing an intervention application by seven former civil servants who seek an authoritative pronouncement on "hate speech.".Sudarshan TV maintains that it has "no ill will against any community or any individual and it does not oppose the selection of any meritorious candidate in the service of the Union or the States." .However, some of the contributors to ZFI are linked to organizations that fund extremist groups, the channel has submitted..These funds received by the Zakat Foundation, in turn, are used to support aspirants for IAS, IPS or UPSC, claims Sudarshan TV..The channel maintains that the show concerns a matter of grave public interest and national security..The channel adds that Syed Zafar Mahmood of Zakat Foundation of India was invited to participate in the debate. Even a TV unit was sent to his ZFI's office and Mahmood's residence. Despite this, there was no participation from their end, as per the counter..In an attempt to showcase a link of the UPSC Coaching institute with that of "terror-linked organizations" the channel has stated that ZFI had recieved donations from Madina Trust, UK..As per records of the Charity Commission for England and Wales, Dr.Zahid Ali Parvez, Trustee of Madina Trust, is also a trustee with the Islamic Foundation. The Times, UK had reported that two Islamic Foundation trustees were on the UN sanctions list of people associated with banned terror organizations, Taliban and Al-Qaeda..The channel states that "according to reports, Madina Trust was also involved in an attack on Indian High Commission, London in September,2019.".Next, the affidavit states that ZFI has also recieved donations from Muslim Aid (UK).."(As per Mr.Sam Westrop, Director of Middle East Forum’s Islamist Watch), Muslim Aid, UK has repeatedly been found involved with a number of terror networks. He adds, that in 2010, following investigative work by British media and an inquiry by Britain’s charity regulator, Muslim Aid, UK was found (and admitted) to have been funding a number of front organizations for the terrorist groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad," reads the affidavit..The channel has further alleged that the ZFI has links to Zakir Naik, whose Islamic Research Foundation has been banned under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, (UAPA), since a former Director of Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (International) at UK is presently the Director of the Zakat Foundation of India (International) at UK. .The channel has stated that it has not made any statement or sent out any message in the four episodes already broadcasted that members of a particular community should not join UPSC.."UPSC is an open competitive examination and members of every community may participate in the entrance examination and qualify. The thrust of the programme is that there appears to be a conspiracy which needs to be investigated by NIA or CBI. It appears that terror linked organizations are funding the Zakat Foundation of India, which in turn is supporting the UPSC aspirants," submits the channel..It is also argued, "that a minority community is taking benefit of OBC and minority scheme simultaneously and the same is a political and social issue which is why we are seeking a debate.".The affidavit avers that terrorism is a global menace and there are several international organizations that provide monetary support to extremists..Sudarshan TV claims that the thrust and endeavour are to expose anti-national activities and the manner in which some persons are being recruited in All India Civil Service under a design to induct persons with the financial support of international fundamentalists and to achieve their oblique motives in India, which may pose a serious threat to the security of India.