Namaz should be offered at designated places: Khattar

In the wake of alleged disruptions to namaz by right-wing gropus at multiple locations in Gurgaon, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said such congregations should be restricted to mosques, eidgahs or private places, even as he asserted the government will ensure that law and order is maintained.

Right-wing outfits have been trying to "disrupt" Friday prayers in Gurgaon over the last two weeks alleging that some people were trying to grab land.

"Our point of view is that namaz should be offered in the precincts of religious places like mosques and Eidgahs, and if there is shortage of place for offering namaz, it should be done at private places," Khattar said.

He was addressing a press conference here before leaving for a 10-day tour of Israel and the United Kingdom.

Over the last two weeks, there were "disruptions" to namaz at Wazirabad, the Atul Kataria Chowk, the Cyber Park, the Bakhtawar Chowk and at the South City, the police said.

The disruptions were caused allegedly by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal, the Hindu Kranti Dal, the Gau Rakshak Dal and the Shiv Sena, they said.

Asked as to what would be the government's strategy to ensure law and order is maintained in view of such disruptions, Khattar said, "To maintain law and order is our duty and we will do it. We are ensuring that harmony is maintained and there is no tension and we have alerted our officials there."
"Till the time nobody raises objections (to namaz being offered at public places it is okay," the Chief Minister said. "But if there are objections from any department or any individual, then we have to be careful."