Namaz in open spaces targeted by right-wing extremists

On October 8, a group of 40-50 right-wing extremists including women gathered at Sector 47 Gurugram where Friday prayer was to take place. They came with placards and banners seeking ban on prayer in the open spaces. They raised slogan such as “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, “Khule me Namaz Nahi (Namaz not allowed in open spaces)”. Those offering Namaz informed that district administration has designated 37 places in Gurugram for Friday prayer since there is shortage of Mosques in the city. There are only 13 Mosques available for more than five lakh Muslims. The right-wing extremists have been pressing the issue and occupying other places designated for Friday prayer. They performed “Goverdhan Puja” on November 5 and called controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand and Delhi pogrom accused and BJP leader Kapil Mishra. Under pressure from the Hindutva forces the local administration reduced the number of designated places for Friday prayer from 37 to 20. The key perpetrators behind the whole issue have been identified as the state President of Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti Mahavir Bhardwaj and the Bharat Mata Vahini President Dinesh Bharti who have mobilized local people in order to ban Namaz in the open spaces in Gurugram. So far Police has arrested only Dinesh Bharti under section 107 of CrPC. The issue is still continuing.

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