UP man barred from offering Namaz for participating in Kanwar Yatra

A Muslim man was prevented from offering Namaz in a mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district on grounds of participating in the recently-concluded Kanwar Yatra.

The Baghpat local, Babu Khan, went to Haridwar to fetch water from the holy river Ganga as part of the Yatra. On many occasions during his travels, both Hindus and Muslims welcomed him at several places and he was offered a Gita in Shahanjahanpur.

Khan reached his village and offered 'Ganga-Jal' in two temples, and his initiative was largely welcomed and admired by the people of Hindu community.

However, when Khan went to a local mosque to offer his 'Namaz' or prayers, he was stopped by a group of fellow Muslims, who allegedly abused him, pushed him out of the mosque, and asked him to continue his Hindu practices as he was impure now.

Following this, Khan lodged a complaint against them and alleged that the group had gathered outside his house and hurled slurs at him. He claimed that he barely managed to escape without sustaining harm, while he sent his wife and children elsewhere, fearing their security.

The police had arrested three suspects in connection with the incident. However, Khan alleged that they have been released and have threatened him again.