The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against a man from Uttar Pradesh, identified as Jasim Mohammad, for allegedly running a fake research centre in Aligarh using Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name. The CBI acted on a complaint from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and registered an FIR on October 24 under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, according to the Hindustan Times.
What Was the Fake Research Centre?
Jasim Mohammad had set up an organisation called NaMo Kendra or Centre for Narendra Modi Studies without any official approval. As per the FIR, “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.”
The centre’s website described it 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.”
What Did the CBI Find?
According to officials, the centre was operating under the guise of promoting research on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies and ideology. It published books and organised discussions without any legitimate association with the government or the Prime Minister’s Office.
Jasim Mohammad reportedly authored a book titled Narendra Modi: An Ideology. The book cover claimed that the foreword was written by Dr. Kiran Bedi, IPS (Retd). However, The Week reported that it could not independently verify if the foreword was actually written by her.
Other publications listed under the centre’s name include a four-part book series titled Narendra Modi: International Relations, with volumes such as Harbinger of Change, Heralding a New World Order, A New Awakening, and Towards All-around Happiness.
Another book, Narendra Modi: Social Revolution, is attributed to Dr. Ashish Gupta, while India after 2014 is authored by Tushita Bhandari.
NaMo Kendra’s Request to Honour Ratan Tata
In September, the executive committee of NaMo Kendra sent a formal request to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to confer the Bharat Ratna posthumously on late industrialist 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.”
The CBI continues to investigate the case to determine whether Jasim Mohammad benefited financially or misled individuals and organisations through the fake centre.
