Gurugram: District administration and police on Tuesday pulled permission to offer Namaz at eight of 37 sites approved in 2018 as a place appointed for Friday prayers.
The decision occurred after weeks of protest by right-wing clothing activists and several local residents against the trials of Namaz in the public spaces and in one day Muslim groups filed a memorandum to deputy commissioners that they were ready to stop Friday prayers in open areas The open area is on government land for peace and harmony.
Officials quoted objections from Rwas and residents as reasons for withdrawing permission.
They also said permits for Namaz on the remaining sites can be withdrawn if residents have objections.
Sites where permission has been canceled including Bengali Basti in Sector 49, V Block DLF Phase 3, Nagar Phase 1 letter, outside the village of Kheri Majra, near Daulatabad Village close to Dwarka Expressway, Sector 68 near Dlf Square Village, and Rampur Village to Jalan Nakhrola.
Two namaz sites in sectors 12 and 47, where protests recently occurred, have not been included in the list.
“Our priority is to maintain social harmony.
We expect cooperation from all parts of society,” said Commissioner of Police K Rao.
Gurgaon police statement adds Namaz will now be offered “only” in Idgahs, the mosque or places where the locals don’t mind.
The high power committee, consisting of district administrative officials, police and representatives and community representatives has been based on identifying places for the Namaz session, officials said.
Friday prayer, they said, will be permitted only in places identified by the committee and can be accepted by locals.
“The Committee will hold discussions with all groups and identify prayer places to be offered every Friday.
While identifying a place, it will be ascertained that the locals do not mind,” said a senior officer, adding a panel to ensure the road, the public place and government land Not used for Namaz.
Protests against Namaz offered in the first open area began in 2018 when Friday prayers were held at 108 places in the city.
Following a series of demonstrations, the number of sites is reduced to 37.
On Monday, Muslim groups have stated their willingness to stop using open areas on government land and request administration to clear encroachment from 19 waqf board sites so that this can be used for prayers.