Muslims in Gurgaon were prevented from praying weekly in public (File)
New Delhi:
The issue of Muslims in Gurgaon being barred from offering namaz in open spaces, including government-owned land, every Friday for the past few months reached the Supreme Court on Thursday, after when a former congressman Rajya Sabha applied.
Former MP Mohammed Adeeb has moved to the highest court for action against Haryana officials, including the Secretary-General and Superintendent of Police, for failing to comply with previous instructions on measures. measures to curb public sentiment and the violence that leads to hate crimes.
Action has been sought against Chief of Staff Sanjeev Kaushal, DGP PK Agrawal and others.
The referencing Supreme Court directives were passed in 2018 and relate to measures to prevent hate crime, including mob violence and guillotine behaviour.
In his plea, Mr. Adeeb said there has been a steady increase in cases related to Friday prayers launched by the Muslim community in Gurgaon.
He said these incidents are being staged at the behest of “identifiable thugs” trying to create an atmosphere of hatred and prejudice against a community. The state agency “did not act seriously” in taking measures to prevent such horrifying incidents, the defense said.
In the past weeks and months, namaz being offered for sale outdoors on government-owned land in Gurgaon has sparked fierce protests from right-wing Hindu groups.
Last month, these groups went so far as to scatter cow dung on the place of prayer.
Cow dung is scattered throughout the prayer place in Gurgaon
In October, tensions flared when people – who locals claim are affiliated with right-wing groups – interrupted prayers in Sector 12-A. 30 people were detained afterward.
At various times, police were required to be present to maintain a clear order, but that has not stopped right-wing groups from continuing to actively disrupt namaz every week.
Follow these and weekly protests at other locations in Gurgaon, the county government last month said Muslims would not be allowed to pray at eight of the 37 previously agreed locations.
These 37 sites have been agreed upon after discussion between the Hindu and Muslim communities following similar issues in 2018. However, last month, Haryana’s minister ML Khattar said Muslims will not be allowed to offer namaz in open spaces; This is actually the withdrawal of the deal 2018.
“We will not accept the custom of providing outdoor namaz,” he told reporters.
When the issue first surfaced, Mr Khattar said everyone has the right to pray but also issued a warning, saying “those offering prayers must not obstruct road traffic”.
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