Bangladesh will not allow fugitive Indian radical preacher Zakir Naik to enter the country ahead of the elections, reversing a previous decision where the government approved his month-long visit. The Muhammad Yunus government had approved Naik's visit from November 28 in a major policy shift after the radical preacher was banned by the previous regime for his alleged links to the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack.

The U-turn came at a meeting of the Home Ministry's law and order core committee, according to a report in Bangladesh daily Prothom Alo. Officials felt that Naik's presence could draw massive crowds, posing serious challenges for security personnel at a time when Bangladesh is gearing up for its first polls after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime.

Yunus, Banglades

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