The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked a Uttar Pradesh man, identified as Jasim Mohammad, who allegedly misused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name to run a "study and research centre" in Aligarh.
The CBI registered an FIR on October 24 under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act following a complaint from the Prime Minister's Office, according to the Hindustan Times.
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He ran the so-called research institution, NaMo Kendra or Centre for Narendra Modi Studies, without permission. "The preliminary inquiry revealed that the Centre for Narendra Modi Studies was registered on January 25, 2021, under the Indian Trust Act, 1860, by Jasim Mohammad without prior permission from the central government or the PMO," reads the FIR.
On its website, the centre is described as "an independent global research centre where eminent leaders, intellectuals, thinkers, social reformers, educators convene to address the multifaceted challenges confronting the nation and to devise a strategic roadmap for Bharat’s emergence as a global power."
According to his website, Jasim Mohammad has authored a book, titled Narendra Modi: An ideology. Interestingly, the book cover claims that the foreword is written by Dr Kiran Bedi IPS (Retd). THE WEEK could not independently verify if the foreword is actually written by Bedi.
Other publications attributed to the centre include four volumes of Narendra Modi: International Relations, including Harbinger of Change, Heralding a New World Order, A New Awakening and Towards All-around Happiness. One book, titled Narendra Modi: Social Revolution is attributed to one Dr Ashish Gupta while another one titled India after 2014 is authored by one Tushita Bhandari.
In September, the executive committee of NaMo Kendra formally requested President Droupadi Murmu to confer Bharat Ratna posthumously on late Ratan Tata. In a statement, Jasim said, "Shri Ratan Tata was a visionary industrialist and a guiding light of ethical leadership, humility and compassion. His life’s work through the Tata Group and Tata Trusts has touched millions of lives and set a benchmark for nation-building and social responsibility. Awarding him the Bharat Ratna posthumously would be a fitting tribute to his unparalleled contributions to India and the world."