Following instances of disruption while namaz (prayer) was being offered in open spaces in the National Capital Region over the past few days, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Sunday that it should be offered in mosques or ‘eidgahs’ instead of public places.
“We are of the view that namaz should be offered at mosques or ‘eidgahs’... In case of shortage of space, it should be offered at a personal place. These are issues which should not be put for public display... It should be avoided at public places for the convenience of all,” he told journalists here.
Mr. Khattar said directions had been issued to officials to take precautionary measures to ensure harmony. Some organisations had submitted complaints regarding namaz at public places, he added.
Mr. Khattar said his government ensured law and order in the State so that the people could live peacefully. “...no criminal can escape after committing any crime.”
The Chief Minister said Haryana Police Cadet Corps, on the lines of the National Cadet Corps, was being set up, involving students from Class XI to graduation.
Mr. Khattar urged the Punjab government to join hands with Haryana to check wasteful flow of Ravi waters to Pakistan because of the unprecedented water crisis looming in both States.
“I have written to Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh to direct the officers concerned to take up the proposal in right earnest. Quoting from the letter, he said: “More and more blocks of Haryana and Punjab have anyway been slipping into the category of over-exploited blocks even as our hard-working farmers toil in the face of a stressed farm sector. I think the time has come when we must join hands in checking the wasteful flow of Ravi waters to Pakistan.”
Khattar's statement
In a late evening statement, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar clarified that in his statement regarding offering Namaz at public places, he had never said anything regarding stopping anyone from offering Namaz.He said if anyone had any problem regarding offering Namaz at public places, he/she could inform the administration and the police. "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.
PTI adds:
Hindutva organisations have been trying to stop Friday prayers in Gurgaon over the last two weeks alleging that some people were trying to grab land in a bid to merge it with a mosque. There were disruptions caused at Wazirabad, Atul Kataria Chowk, Cyber Park, Bakhtawar Chowk and at South City, the police said.
