Days after Ramadan started in India and worldwide, several instances of targeting and intimidating Muslims have been reported. Stopping them from offering Namaaz, and subjecting them to violence and abuse. Many attempts are being made to cause disharmony amongst communities, to provoke individuals from the majority and minority communities as both celebrate their own cultural festivals, with Ram Navami being just around the corner. Extremist Hindutva outfits and their local supports are resorting to petty and offensive tactics to otherise the Muslim community. One such example are the objectionable banners, saying “Welcome to Akhand Hindu Rashtra”, being put up by the Hindutva outfits at various areas, but especially those areas which are either sensitive or Muslim populated. One such banner has been put up by the extremist Bajrang Dal at Sangam Nagar Wadala in East Mumbai.

The post can be viewed here: 

An objectionable banner saying “Welcome to Akhand Hindu Rashtra” put up by Bajrang Dal at Sangam Nagar Wadala in East Mumbai. @MumbaiPolice Kindly take action on this. pic.twitter.com/777qMElh8Y

— Meer Faisal (@meerfaisal01) March 28, 2023

Another such banner, saying “Jai Hindu Rashtra”, has been put up in Sarafa Bazaar, Khargone. Khargone in Madhya Pradesh is the same area where during Ram Navami last year, the atmosphere had become communal and a Muslim man was murdered by a Hindu mob.  Hate-offender Kapil Mishra’s speech and inciteful words had been the driving force behind this communal hatred.  Later, the government had also attacked Muslims collectively by bulldozing their homes and properties. And now, in this communally sensitive area, the aforementioned offensive and instigating banners have been displayed at 4 places, i.e. two in Talab Chowk and two in Sarafa Bazar. It is important to be noted that while this is taking place near the Talab Chowk police station, no action has yet been taken by the police against the perpetrators.

The post can be viewed here: 

During Ram Navami last year, the atmosphere in Khargone became communal, where a Muslim man allegedly murdered by a hindu mob. Later, the government attacked Muslims collectively by bulldozing their homes and properties. An objectionable banner with the words “Jai Hindu Rashtra” pic.twitter.com/Vcy0hKWhui

— Meer Faisal (@meerfaisal01) March 28, 2023

In another such instance of intolerance and hatred, in the beginning of this week, the locals in Greater Noida showed discomfort and created a ruckus against the happening of congregational prayers in the basement of a building. Not so surprisingly, the police resolved this issue by asking the Muslims to remove the tent and stop praying there. The video of this incident is now going viral online, where a group of people can be seen at the entrance of the society, and the police can be seen arriving later.

The video can be viewed here:

Members of a housing society in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, raised a commotion after it was discovered that some Muslims were praying in the building’s basement. Police have solved the majority community problem by taking down the tent that was built for prayer. pic.twitter.com/gmlgqvw0Df

— Meer Faisal (@meerfaisal01) March 27, 2023

A video showing the tent that got removed by the residents was also shared later on social media and can be viewed here:

The tent that was disturbing them so badly that they lost sleep over it. pic.twitter.com/5wBcHEeiON

— Drunk Journalist (@drunkJournalist) March 27, 2023

On March 26, an incident of brutal abuse was reported in Maharashtra. In the aforementioned incident, an Imam leading prayer at a mosque in Maharashtra’s Anwa village was assaulted by unidentified individuals who entered the place of worship and beat him up for refusing to chant “Jai Shri Ram.” According to India Today, the incident occurred on Sunday at around 7.30 p.m. while the Imam was sitting inside the mosque reading the Quran. When the Imam refused to do as he was told, three individuals beat him outside the mosque. According to the report, the Imam claimed that his assailants used a chemical-laced cloth to make him unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he discovered his beard had been severed. A video of the Imam being taken to the hospital has gone viral on social media.

According to India Today, the Imam was first rushed to a government hospital in Sillod. He was later transferred to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Aurangabad, where he is receiving treatment.

According to India Today, after the incident was reported, police arrived at Anwar village, where the mosque is located, and began investigating the incident. A case was registered at the Paradh police station in Bhokardan against the unidentified individuals under Sections 452 (trespassing after preparation for hurt, assault), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 34 (criminal act by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The video of the Imam being take to the hospital can be viewed here:

Location: Anwa, Jalna district, Maharashtra

A Muslim cleric leading prayers at a mosque was thrashed, his beard cut by attackers for refusing to chant Jai Shri Ram. pic.twitter.com/P97J0dqB0f

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 28, 2023

In a separate incident on March 26, members of the far-right Bajrang Dal shouted anti-Muslim slogans in front of a Mosque and Madrassa during a rally. Stone pelting was reported in the area. The incident took place in Tele village in Ramgarh, Rajasthan, where the mob was seen carrying saffron flags, wearing saffron scarfs, and using abusive language and anti-Muslim slurs while shouting ‘Jai Shree Ram’.

The video can be viewed here:

Location: Tele village, Ramgarh, Rajasthan

On March 26, during a rally, members of the far-right Bajrang Dal raised objectionable slogans against Muslims in front of the Mosque and Madarasa.

Stone pelting reported from the area. pic.twitter.com/0j907TZuGu…

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) March 28, 2023

On March 28, in Karnataka, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had carried out protest in Hassan’s Belur opposing the decades old ritual of reciting Quran during historical Chennakeshava Rathotsava, and raised demands of the said ritual being discounted. The Hindu outfits have maintained since a few years that the ritual should not be observed as it is “against the Hindu religion”. During the said procession, a Muslim youth allegedly shouted Quran Zindabad, which led to commotion. The Bajrang Dal and Hindu activists questioned the youth and surrounded him. The situation turned serious when the youth got into an argument with the agitators. Later, he was chased by protesters. Meanwhile, another group of agitators blocked the road. The cops then intervened and took control of the situation by, ironically, arresting the Muslim individual and taking him away.

A video of the mob surrounding the police van and sloganeering can be viewed here:

#BajrangDal carried out protest in #Hassan‘s belur opposing decades old ritual of reciting #Quran during Chennakeshava Rathotsava.During the procession,a #Muslim youth allegedly shouted Quran Zindabad. This led to commotion.Cops took him away to control the situation. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/fK9lnNSK8D

— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) March 28, 2023

The Rathotsav will take place on April 4 and 5 in Belur during which a tradition is followed wherein the Hindu festival begins with a recitation of the Quran. Lakhs of devotees throng to the temple to witness the festival. As reported by News 18, Basavaraj, a VHP worker, said that “For many years, before the Rathotsava, there was a bad practice of reciting the Quran. This practice of hurting Hindu sentiments has been taking place. This must stop this year. Not Quran but Narayan Stotra must be recited in front of the temple. Hence, in order to put an end to this practice, the VHP and Bajrang Dal staged protests. Rathotsav will take place on April 4 and the ritual must stop this year on April 3 itself”.

Santosh Kenchamba, the founder of Rashtra Dharma Sangatan, reportedly said that “Our Sanatana Dharma dates back to 5,000 years. They could not take us down using a sword but their ideological attack is taking place. The same ideological attack is taking place at Channakeshava premises as well. This temple was built in 1117AD and in 1932 this practice of reciting the Quran started. Back then, they used to do it in some corner now they have started in front of the chariot.”

The recent cycle of venomous Islamophobic and anti-Muslim political rhetoric has incited violence against members of the Muslim community. With the month of Ramadan being celebrated, the Muslim community remains the target of horrific incidents, discrimination, and violence because of their religion. The current atmosphere is such that Muslims in India will remain on edge till Eid approaches, as many instances of state-sanction organised crimes will be reported.

It is said that during the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast to feel the step out of their usual routines and reflect on the suffering of the ones less fortunate that them. It is sad to see the pure intention behind this month being overshadowed by the saffron terror, to see extremist fan the hate and violence.

Related:

Why did Delhi Police deny permission for Ram Navami procession in Jahangirpuri?

Kajal Hindusthani, Kapil Mishra, amongst others, target Muslim religious minorities, calls for their “erasure” and “Ghar Wapasi” unchallenged

MP, UP: incidents of hate, intolerance and violence against Muslims reported from both states

Bilkis Bano gang rape convict shares stage with BJP MP, MLA: Gujarat

Family of Momeen, arrested for posting whatsapp status for Aurangzeb, forced to leave village

Rising Intolerance in Maharashtra: 2 Muslim boys arrested for putting a status on Aurangzeb

Take action against hate speech in Mira-Bhayandar: Residents, Opposition parties to Commissioner of Police

Maharashtra: Vitriolic speaker from Gujarat calls for economic boycott of Muslims in Mira-Bhayandar

Weaponsing religious processions, demolishing minority homes, a nadir in breakdown of rule of law: Report

Violence breaks out after controversial route of a procession passes Mosque in Karnataka’s Haveri, 15 detained

CJP’s PIL seeking directions for established law & procedure on religious processions: A Factsheet

The post Open display of “welcome to Akhand Hindu Rashtra” accepted while “discomfort” over Namaz being offered in basement, is this the New India? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Muslims praying namaz on Friday are being harassed at Iqra Mosque in Nangloi, Delhi, as per a local news report. It was reported on November 20, by local newspaper, Inquilab, that for past two weeks, Muslims coming to offer namaz at Iqra Mosque were being stopped from offering namaz and were beaten up by a group of people. It has been alleged that the accused, who lives near the mosque, gathered a few other men and even molested women and assaulted them.

The name of the accused has not been reported however, it is stated that a complaint has been filed with the police as well as a complaint has been sent to the LG of Delhi. However, no action has been taken against the miscreant yet. There are other non-Muslim communities living around Iqra Mosque, whoever, they never raised any objection to namaz offering Muslims.

On December 23, NDTV reported that Bajrang Dal members disrupted Friday namaz in sector 69, Gurugram. As per the police, around 15 Bajrang Dal members led by its district security chief Amit Hindu disrupted namaz being offered on namaz site Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP). This is a designated open ground namaz site as allotted by the district administration.

In 2021, the district administration allotted Atlas Chowk at HSIIDC Ground, Peepal Chowk in Udyog Vihar phase-2, HSVP land in Udyog Vihar phase-4, Leisure Valley Ground in Sector 29, HSVP land in Sector 42 and HSVP land in Sector 69 for offering Namaz, reported NDTV.

 Amit Hindu said that he will give a memorandum to the deputy commissioner to stop namaz at the site as the worshippers are encroaching the green belt and he also claimed that this site was temporarily allotted.  

The police state that when they reached the spot, the Muslim had already left, and they asked the Bajrang Dal members to vacate the site. No complaint has been filed in this regard.

Related:

Tales of love: Choosing humanity over religion in 2022

CJP’s PIL seeking directions for established law & procedure on religious processions: A Factsheet

UP: After Gyanvapi, Mathura Court Orders Shahi Idgah Survey; ‘Violation’ of Places of Worship Act, Say Activists

The post Delhi & Gurugram: Obstruction of namaz, assault on Muslims appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“This is all politics. There are vested interests on both sides. I don’t really like what is happening here.” This was the refrain from a friend of mine living in one of the many high rises in Gurgaon. Working for one of the many IT companies which dot the millennium city, I was generally inquiring from him about the ongoing disruption of Friday namaz happening through a concerted effort by Hindu right wing groups. I understand that many Hindus, like my friend, would not associate themselves with such groups. But their continued prevarication and silence on the issue is only emboldening these groups and their visceral anti-Muslim actions. In articulating the issue as arising from ‘vested interests of both sides’, my friend tries to create a false balance of forces which in fact does not exist.

The issue is fairly simple and there is really no “both sides to the story”. Many years ago, Muslims were allocated land to perform their prayer ritual in the absence of adequate number of mosques. The practice continued for years without any hiccup when various right wing Hindu groups started to object to Muslims ‘occupying’ public spaces to perform namaz. The very term occupation ignites sentiments that this is some diabolical plot by Muslims to acquire land in the name of religion. They even coined a name for it: land jihad. Muslims, however, have been petitioning the government to allocate them so that they can build mosques. It is the responsibility of the government to do, an act in which they have singularly failed. In the absence of adequate number of mosques, Muslims have been praying in the open. 

One can certainly have positions for or against Muslims praying in public spaces. Many Muslims themselves have opposed the idea of a praying in public spaces and have advised them to pray in their homes instead. One is also aware that Muslim groups have as a matter of right, blocked public roads to perform their Friday prayers which is patently wrong. But the issue in Gurgaon is different. Muslims are not occupying roads here, neither are they praying at unauthorized places. They were simply praying at places that were allotted to them by the administration for that very purpose. And it is rather rich when such an argument comes from Hindu groups who themselves wont blink an eye to claim public spaces for religious rituals. For these Hindu groups then, it is not about the sanctity of public spaces; it is rather about an assertion that only Hindus have the right to such places.

Cow dung was spread across a prayer site in Gurgaon

—–

At sector 37 in Gurgaon, Muslims used to conduct Friday prayers in a parking lot. But due to the belligerence of Hindu groups, they were forced to give it up and move to some other locations; until some other group decides to disrupt their namaz there too. But it is not that the place in sector 37 has now been reclaimed as a parking space. I saw a huge tent erected there under which some Hindu religious ritual was going on. While the namaz normally does not take more than half an hour, the puja went on for nearly half a day. So, this is a very dishonest argument by the Hindu right that their campaign is to reclaim public spaces. By that logic they should not be performing the puja at the same site. But then we know that this is fundamentally about ‘showing Muslims their place’.

The signal is loud and clear: that Muslims will have to live at the mercy of Hindus; that any public manifestation of Muslim religiosity needs to be curbed in this new definition of Hindu nation. If at all a Muslim prayer has to be ‘permitted’, it can only be allowed at obscure places. I saw one of those obscure places in sector 29 which was surrounded by big hotels; away from the hustle bustle of residences and factories. The message is clear again: Muslims will be tolerated only to the extent that they are not visible.

India need not become a legal Hindu state; groups within Hindus are creating social conditions which would not require any legal framework to do so. In this they are ably helped by the ruling dispensation, particularly the chief minister of Haryana who some days ago declared that he will not tolerate namaz in public places. The police, whose responsibility it is to uphold law and order, stands as mute spectators at many of these orchestrated protests by Hindu groups. Under such conditions, Muslims have acted wisely and have avoided confrontation. But this gives further signal to the right- wing Hindus that they can get away with anything.

Ultimately, it depends on sane Hindus like my friend in Gurgaon to come forward and condemn what is happening in the name of protecting their faith. Why is it that we hear such ominous silence from liberal mainstream Hindus when it comes to condemning such brazen attack on Muslim religious practice? Why is it that we do not see any “Not in My Name” rallies and protests demanding that such hateful politics in the name of Hinduism must stop.

Where are the stalwarts saving the constitution when the rights of Muslims to freely practice their religion is being threatened now more than ever? Why is it that there is no effort from their side to stem this tide of hatred? Why is it that they are not doing any outreach amongst among Hindus to tell them what is being done in their name? Many of these stalwarts in fact became so only because Muslims across the country provided them with platforms and numbers. Now when Muslims in Gurgaon need them, where are they?

And where is the scholar politician who educated us about the difference between Hindutva and Hinduism? How should we understand this complicit silence of ‘liberal and tolerant’ Hinduism?

—-

Arshad Alam is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com      

This article was first published on NewAgeIslam.com

The post Gurgaon Namaz Disruption: Why are Liberal Hindus Silent? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Today, a Friday, will be yet another test if Gurugram administration will pay heed to the requests made by Members of the Muslim community of the city. Or will it once again go through the motions as Hindutva groups make another attempt to disrupt namaaz yet again?

Videos such as the following have already started appearing on social media:

Groups saying they will not allow namaz to be offered at the site. pic.twitter.com/fwOPW4rPo6

— Pavneet Singh Chadha ? ? (@pub_neat) December 10, 2021

The Muslim community recently alleged that the government authorities failed to take action against those who have been regularly disrupting the Friday namaz in the city. Community elders say Muslims of Gurugram are being denied their constitutional right to practice their religion.

Mohammad Adeeb, former Rajya MP and a member of Gurgaon Muslim Council, told SabrangIndia that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in Haryana, is whipping up the Hindu-Muslim divide ahead of elections in Uttar Pradesh next door. And that these regular disruptions in namaaz are now picking up pace due to that even though the issue of lack of spaces for Muslims to pray at, is an issue that has been discussed for years. Following the recent attacks, the community also “submitted a report to 18 political parties in the hope that they will take up the issue in Parliament and other public fora. Communal slogans and provocative speeches are being made against Muslims, and the authorities are taking no action,” Adeeb added at a recently held press conference in Delhi.

However, even though the district administration has maintained that resolving the sensitive issue was being attempted, and that the city police say they were providing adequate security at all designated namaz sites, such incidents continue with impunity.

The Hindutva groups have been protesting Friday namaz in open public spaces in Gurugram since 2018. It was in the same year that the city administration had designated 37 sites for Muslims to perform the Friday prayers. However, in November this year, the number of sites was cut down to 20 after members of the right-wing outfits continued to protest and disrupt prayers.

The Muslims, however, have maintained that they were forced to use public spaces since there were not enough mosques in the city. “There is no provision made in the town planning for mosques,” said Md Adeeb adding that Gururgram has expanded and even then the spaces for Muslims to build a mosque has not been provided.  

That is why the congregational Juma Namaz were being offered for over two decades in open areas. The urban development body of the city (HUDA) has provided space for one mosque in Sector 57 to the Muslim Community however, that too is under litigation since 2006. 

The background of Namaz disruption as shared by the Gurgaon Muslim Council

May, 2018: Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti which claims to be an umbrella body of 22 far-right wing groups stopped the Muslim Community from reading Juma Namaz on Friday afternoon in more than 10 open areas of Gurgaon. They hurt religious sentiments of Muslims by making inflammatory statements. Representatives from the Muslim Community approached the Administration of Gurgaon to stop this far-right wing organisation from disrupting Juma Namaz at various locations of Gurgaon. During these discussions with the Administration, the Muslim Community was asked to reduce Juma sites so adequate security could be provided to those offering Namaz from unprovoked attacks. Those who negotiated on behalf of the Muslim Community with the Gurugram Administration extensively reviewed close to 108 Juma sites and offered to reduce the sites to 60 as per the request made by Administration. However, the Administration did not accept the list of 60 Juma sites and further reduced this list to 37 for Gurgaon and Manesar area collectively. This list included 3 Masjid of Gurgaon too (the Masjid should not have been in this list of open places). Those who were part of these negotiations from the Muslim Community opposed the bringing down of Juma sites to 37 from the initial list of 108 sites. Since the Administration assured that the list of Juma places can be increased once the dust settles, the Community representatives gave into the request of the Administration.

March, 2021: Post Covid-19 lockdown, incidents of Juma Namaz disruption began, led by one Dinesh Bharti who claims to be the head of a group called Bharat Mata Vahini. He allegedly leads the targeting of these 37 sites where the Administration had promised to provide security and ensure Juma Namaz happens peacefully every Friday afternoon. Intimidation, provocation and incitement to violence have been systematically used by this group to terrorize those congregating to offer Namaz. He has so far succeeded in stopping Juma Namaz at Sector 39, 40 & 43 during March & April of this year.  The Muslim community registered a FIR against Dinesh Bharti on April 16, 2021 (FIR no. 0195) under Section 153-A & 34 of IPC Act 1860; however he remains undeterred. 

April, 2021: Juma Namaz was stopped at these sites by the Muslim Community for the next 3 months.

September to December, 2021: From September 17, Dinesh Bharti and his group started disturbing Juma Namaz and the communal harmony of this city. From October, the umbrella body of far-right wing groups ‘Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti’ joined the fresh anti-Namaz protests which became more aggressive each week. Often protestors were stopped by Police about 50-100 metres away from the Namaz location every Friday. However, since November, many protestors have managed to reach the sites and disrupt Juma Namaz. After Diwali, Govardhan Puja was performed at the spot where Juma Namaz happens in Gurgaon. The Muslim Community stated they will not pray Juma Namaz when Govardhan Puja is performed. However the right wing groups have continued disrupting namaz and instead organising pujas at the same spot.

Secular Hindus and Sikhs who offered their private spaces have also been targeted

Secular Hindus and Sikhs who offered their open spaces have also been targeted by right wing groups in various ways. An example is Gurugram businessman Akshay Yadav who offered a section of his garage/workshop for the community to offer Juma Namaz, according to sources, he has had to move his family out of the city to a safe spot, for fear of attacks from right-wing groups. Another case is of Sherdil Singh Sidhu who heads the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at Gurugram’s Sabzi Mandi who offered the basement areas of their Gurdwaras at Sadar Bazar, Sector 39, Sector 46, Model Town and Jacobpura to Muslims for offering Juma Namaz. This too was targeted by right wing groups.

While the Muslim Community filed a Police complaint against the three men who “lead these far-right wing groups who have deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims by making Inflammatory and Communally Divisive statements” it is said that Gurugram Police, is yet to file an FIR has been filed based on the complaint.

The Muslim Community of the ‘millenium city’ say they are “living in fear” and are “extremely hurt and upset to hear the Juma Namaz being called a site of Pakistan and the Namazi’s being called citizens from Pakistan & Bangladesh”. They issued a statement calling this “a sad commentary on the state of affairs in this city which is the melting pot of people who have come from far corners of the country to make a life that an entire section of hard working citizens have to live not only in fear but also face constant humiliation.”

They have once again asked the Administration “to act and their action needs to reassure everyone that irrespective of religion, caste, and ethnicity Gurugram will defend the rights of all those who are suffering because of a small group of people who want to take law in their own hands. This cannot be allowed at any cost. It is the duty of the Administration to protect the Muslim community from the kind of attacks it is facing in Gurugram.”

Muslims have only two operational mosques

According to the community, while “118 sectors have been added in Gurugram” Muslims have only two operational mosques. “The mosque in Sector 57 was given to us in the year 2004. Subsequently Court Case was put in Lower & High Court and stay had been obtained to further construction of Masjid. The case was granted in favour of the Muslims. After a few months, a case was filed in the Supreme Court and yet again stay for further construction of Masjid was obtained. Presently the Masjid in Sector 57 has a capacity of 300 people. Juma Namaz (Friday afternoon congregational prayers) happens 4 times at every half an hour from 12.30 pm onwards. This way at the most 1,200 people can offer their obligatory Juma Namaz in Sector 57 Masjid. The other Masjid is at Rajiv Chowk of Gurugram which got clearance from the high court 6 years back. Till date, the Muslim Community of Gurgaon is awaiting possession from the authorities in order to build our Masjid,” they say.

Muslims of Gurugram are seeking that space is allotted for a Masjid and that they will pay for it. “Town Planning has allocated 42 or more temples and 18 or more Gurdwara’s; however only 1 piece of land given in Sector 57 given by State Government to build Masjid. The Constitution of India grants equal rights to all its citizens for worship; hence 5 lakh Muslims staying & working in satellite town of Gurugram have a right to their place of worship. The number of allotments should at least resonate with the population requirements,” stated the Gurgaon Muslim Council in its representation signed by Mohd Adeeb, Altaf Ahmad, and Mufti Saleem

Muslim groups reject sites ‘proposed’ by right wing affiliates

Meanwhile, Muslim groups reject sites ‘proposed’ by right wing affiliates as they are impracitaly far away from the city. The right wing groups continue to escalate their ongoing disruptions of namaaz in Gurugram, and the city’s administraion pruning the number of sites permitted members of the Gurgaon Muslim Council and Muslim Ekta Manch met the District Commissioner on Tuesday demanding that the district administration ensure that law and order is maintained as they will continue to offer Friday prayers at the 37 sites agreed upon in 2018. Right wing groups such as the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS) and Imam Sangathan had met the deputy commissioner a day earlier and claimed they “reached an agreement to not offer Friday prayers at sites.”

However, according to Altaf Ahmad, co-founder of Gurgaon Muslim Council, the community has rejected “any and all such agreements done behind closed doors, in a suspicious manner, by a handful of discredited members of the Muslim community. Muslim Rashtriya Manch is not representative of the Muslim community. We request the CM to constitute a truly representative Aman Committee and resolve the matter in a mutually consultative way.” 

On Monday, Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, which is reportedly the one leading the right wing groups’ protests against namaz in the open, together with Muslim Rashtriya Manch and Imam Sangathan, had told the media that namaz will not be offered at the designated open placesbut that new spaces had been asked for “on rent from the administration to offer prayers”. 

On December 7, a memorandum was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Gurugram Administration Dr Yash Garg that the Muslim groups, and citizens groups had rejected the “fraudulent attempt to stop Juma Namaaz in open spaces” and put on record that the administration had accused the community “that Juma namaaz in open public spaces will continue till the Muslim Community gets a practical and viable alternative spaces.” However, there have been open threats by Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, stated the letter, naming convener Mahavir Bhardawaj who has reportedly said that “he will disrupt all Juma namaz in open spaces from 10th December 2021 onwards. No police or legal action has been taken against him for these open and blatant threats and hate mongering against the Muslim Community.”

They reiterated that “Muslims in general do not trust Muslim Rashtriya Manch or a handful of Maulvis, and they are not the voice of genuine and reasonable Muslim citizens of Gurugram,” adding that it was a “very small fringe and discredited group” that was now claiming to represent hundreds of Maulvis and thousands of Muslims. They asked if the meeting also had members of the District Administration present. 

The Gurugram Muslim Council has called the right wing groups’ proposal “fraudulent” and “impractical” adding that it has the potential to “create severe problems for Muslim Community citizens as well others citizens of Gurugram”. The Council requested Haryana Chief Minister to constitute “a truly representative Aman Committee, and resolve this matter in a mutually consultative way” and said that the community will “continue to offer Juma namaz at all the 37 sites agreed upon in 2018, and demand that the District Administration ensures that law and order is maintained.”

According to Hindustan Times, Dr Yash Garg, deputy commissioner, Gurugram, confirmed that some members of the Muslim groups met him on Tuesday and handed over a letter, adding that the proposals will be reviewed “and will try to resolve this issue at the earliest. We will ensure that sentiments and interests of every community are safeguarded.” According to the report, Gurugram Police said they have not received any application or request that Muslims will offer namaz at 37 sites this Friday. 

In early November, Gurugram administration had withdrawn permission to offer namaz at eight public sites. The administration has cited “objection from local residents and resident welfare associations” as the reason for doing so. There were 37 designated sites approved by administration, before some local residents backed by Hindutva groups began objecting to the congregational Muslim prayers. The cancelled sites were: Bengali Basti in Sector 49, V block DLF phase 3, Surat Nagar Phase 1, outside Kheri Majra village, near Daulatabad village on Dwarka Expressway, Sector 68 near Ramgarh village, near DLF square tower, from Rampur village to the Nakhrola road. According to news reports, there is still no decision taken yet on the designated namaz sites in Sector 47 and Sector 12-A. These two spots were the focus of the Hindutva group’s ‘protests’.  

Gurugram administration had also formed a committee comprising a Sub-Divisional Magistrate, an Assistant Commissioner-level police officer, members of Hindu and Muslim communities and social organisations. This committee was to decide the final list of places where namaz would be offered in the city. 

However, on Friday, December 3, Hindutva groups once again gathered to demonstrate against namaz at the Sector 37 site amid heavy police presence.Over seven people were detained by the Gurugram police in Sector 37 that day. The namaz site, which has been operational for years, is close to the Sector 37 police station. Protesters have been detained before, yet they return every Friday, week after week, for months now. 

Related:

You know it’s Friday in Gurugram, when Hindutva groups disrupt namaz!
Gurugram: Will the right-wing agenda of dividing Muslims and Sikhs over namaz space succeed?
Gurugram: Gurdwaras, Hindu shop owner, offer space for namaz
Gurugram: Hindutva leaders conduct Govardhan Puja at namaz site 
Haryana: Gurugram administration withdraw permission to offer namaz at eight public sites

The post Gurugram: Why are Namaz disruptions on the rise? appeared first on SabrangIndia.