Hry CM’s Namaz remark stirs row

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s remarks that namaz should be restricted to mosques and eidgahs rather not open spaces, has stirred a controversy with the Opposition accusing him of dividing the society on the basis of religion.

Lashing out at the Chief Minister, the state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar on Monday said, “Many of the religious and social functions are held in public spaces and the Chief Minister’s statement doesn’t show equal treatment for all.”

Tanwar also alleged that the BJP and RSS always have an agenda of playing with religious sentiments and disturbing communal harmony.

Haryana Congress MLA, Karan Singh Dalal also slammed the Chief Minister over his remarks and said that the BJP is trying to divide the society.

“It is fortunate that the CM has made such remarks.  The BJP Government has an agenda to divide people on religion and caste basis,” he added.

The INLD and AAP has also criticized the Chief Minister’s statement that came in the wake of incidents of alleged disruptions to namaz by right-wing groups at multiple locations in Gurugram recently.

Meanwhile, senior Cabinet Minister Anil Vij on Monday said, “offering prayers at a place with the intention of grabbing land is wrong and will not be allowed”.

“Occasionally if people want to read namaz, they have the freedom to practice their religion. However, offering namaz at a place with the intention of grabbing land is not right,” said Vij.

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

Breaking his silence over the issue on Sunday, the Chief Minister had said “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, he had said while talking to the mediapersons here before leaving for a 10-day tour to Israel and the United Kingdom on Sunday.

Later, he had also clarified that 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, the Chief Minister had said.