Namaz should be read in mosques, not public spaces: Haryana CM

In the wake of incidents of alleged disruptions to namaz by right-wing groups at multiple locations in Gurugram recently, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said such congregations should be restricted to mosques, eidgahs or private places, even as he asserted the government will ensure that law and order is maintained.

“In our point of view, namaz should be offered at their designated places. Namaz should be offered at mosque and Eidgah. If there is shortage of place for namaz, then it should be offered at personal place. These are not such issues which should be displayed at public places,” said the Chief Minister while talking to the mediapersons here before leaving for a 10-day tour to Israel and the United Kingdom.

Right-wing outfits have been trying to disrupt Friday prayers in Gurugram over the last two weeks alleging that some people were trying to grab land.

The disruptions were caused allegedly by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal, the Hindu Kranti Dal, the Gau Rakshak Dal and the Shiv Sena, according to the police.

Disruptions to namaz were reported at Wazirabad, the Atul Kataria Chowk, the Cyber Park, the Bakhtawar Chowk and at the South City.

When asked as to what would be the State Government’s strategy to ensure that law and order is maintained in view of such disruptions, the Chief Minister said, “To maintain law and order is our duty and we will do it. We are ensuring that harmony is maintained and there is no tension and we have alerted our officials there.”

He further said the instances of namaz being offered at public places have been increasing.

The Friday prayers, he said, should be offered at designated places because certain individuals or departments may have objections to it being done at public areas.

“Till the time nobody raises objections (to namaz being offered at public places), it is okay.

But if there are objections from any department or any individual, then we have to be careful,” said the Chief Minister.

“The government is keeping a close watch on the issue. We are trying to make them understand by telling them that namaz should be offered at designated places,” he added.

After controversy erupted over his statement, the Chief Minister also issued a clarification, later in the evening saying that he had never said anything regarding stopping anyone from offering namaz.

“If anyone had any problem regarding offering prayers at public places, he could inform the administration and the police. It is the responsibility of the administration and police to maintain law and order and the State Government is bound to maintain peace,” he added.

Several right-wing outfits have called for a ban on namaz being offered in open spaces after six people were arrested on April 20 for disrupting Friday prayers at a vacant plot in Sector 53 Gurugram with chants of “Jai Sri Ram” and “Radhe Radhe”.

The protestors had alleged that Muslim worshippers did not have permission to offer prayers at roadsides, parks and vacant government land in Gurugram.