Police chase away Muslims offering ‘Namaz’ on the road in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh) – On Friday afternoon of 30th August 2024, some young men who had come to participate in the Urs (a Muslim religious procession) of Ala Hazrat were seated on the road in Khalil Chowk to offer prayers (Namaz). At that time, the police chased them away. The police stated, “These young men were causing a traffic jam by seating on the road for ‘Namaz’, so they were removed from there. Since there was an open ground nearby where the Urs was being celebrated, they were instructed to offer ‘Namaz’ there.” (Despite the availability of an open ground, Muslims chose to offer ‘Namaz’ on the road, which shows their attitude of  deliberately causing inconvenience to people. – Editor)

Maulana Abdullah Raza Qadri, the president of the youth wing of the ‘All India Raza Action Committee’, expressed anger over this incident and demanded that the Police from the Kotwali Police Station responsible for such uncivilized behaviour should be suspended from duty. (The Police acted according to the rules, while the Muslims behaved in a way that was against the rules. Despite this, Qadri supports them, therefore, action needs to be first taken against him. – Editor)

Qadri also demanded action against those responsible for tearing down, at night, the posters regarding the Urs displayed in the area.

Hindus opposed to the procession by Muslims

Taking out procession with the ‘Chadar’ offered in the mosque in the Khajuria Zulfiqar area created tension as the local Hindus opposed it, claiming to be a new tradition started by Muslims. Yashpal Singh, the Police Inspector of Izzat Nagar Police Station, stated that the ‘Chadar’ procession did not pass through the village. When some people tried to take it through the village, it was opposed. Later, both the parties agreed that no procession would be taken out within 300 meters inside the village.

Editorial Perspective

An order should be issued across the country banning such kinds of incidents. Action needs to be taken against those who cause inconvenience to public by blocking traffic for carrying out religious activities, in a secular country.