For holding a large gathering to perform namaz at a home without first obtaining permission from local authorities, the Moradabad police have detained 26 persons.
Superintendent of Police (rural), Moradabad, Sandeep Kumar Meena, said, “Scores of people assembled at the house of two local villagers in Dulhepur village in Chhajlet area without any notice and offered prayers. They had been cautioned in the past not to indulge in such a practice at home, following objections from neighbours belonging to another community.”
He said, “An FIR has been registered under IPC 505-2 (statement conducing to public mischief in an assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship) against 16 identified and 10 unidentified persons on the complaint of local Chandra Pal Singh. We are looking for those involved in the case.”
A few right-wing activists organised a demonstration and requested police intervention after images of people allegedly praying inside the house in “huge numbers” at Dulhepur village went viral on social media.
Recently, news stories about individuals who oppose namaz have surfaced in several locations. Angry local protests against the namaz by groups of local manufacturing workers took place in Gurgaon a few months ago, led by right-wing organisations. The namaz was held in public areas specified by the local government, but it was discontinued due to traffic congestion and concerns for peace and order. Later, as a reply, Hindu prayers were offered at some of the locations.
Some Bajrang Dal men recently protested the performance of namaz by mall personnel in Bhopal by reading the Hanuman Chalisa. A identical occurrence occurred a few weeks ago at a mall in Lucknow. Later, all religious activities were outlawed in both malls.
