Namaz should be offered at designated places: Khattar

Chandigarh: In the wake of alleged disruptions to namaz by right-wing groups at multiple locations in Gurgaon, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today 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.

Right-wing outfits have been trying to “disrupt” Friday prayers in Gurgaon over the last two weeks alleging that some people were trying to grab land. “Our point of view is that namaz should be offered in the precincts of religious places like mosques and Eidgahs, and if there is shortage of place for offering namaz, it should be done at private places,” Khattar said.

He was addressing a press conference here before leaving for a 10-day tour of Israel and the United Kingdom. Over the last two weeks, there were “disruptions” to namaz at Wazirabad, the Atul Kataria Chowk, the Cyber Park, the Bakhtawar Chowk and at the South City, the police said.

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, they said. Asked as to what would be his governments strategy to ensure law and order is maintained in view of such disruptions, Khattar 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.”

The BJP leader 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 places.

“Till the time nobody raises objections (to namaz being offered at public places) it is okay,” the Chief Minister said. “But if there are objections from any department or any individual, then we have to be careful.”

Later, before departing on his foreign tours, Khattar said in New Delhi if anyone had any problem with somebody offering prayers at public places, he could inform the administration and the police, according to an official statement.

“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, according to the statement. In the Chandigarh press conference, he had said the government was keeping a close watch on the issue.

“There has been an increase in this (instances of namaz being offered in public places). So we are keeping a watch on the issue (to ensure law and order is maintained). We are trying to make them understand by telling them that namaz should be offered at designated places and not public areas,” Khattar said.

The right-wing groups have been saying they would continue their protest if the administration did not stop “unauthorised” prayers at public places. They say Muslim worshippers did not have permission to offer prayers at roadsides, parks and vacant government land in Gurgaon.