Representative photo (PTI)
NEW DELHI: Vishva Hindu Parishad on Wednesday appealed to all state governments to strictly prohibit offering namaz on roads and ensure compliance with the Constitution and judicial directions, while also urging clerics and religious leaders to encourage Muslims to follow the law instead of “pushing them towards another path of terrorism”.The remarks came amid heightened political and administrative focus on public prayers ahead of Eid, particularly after recent measures announced in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The newly elected BJP government in West Bengal has indicated that namaz on roads and public thoroughfares would not be permitted during Eid gatherings, stressing that traffic movement and public convenience must not be disrupted. Uttar Pradesh authorities too have repeatedly enforced restrictions on offering prayers on roads and open public spaces over the past few years, with police issuing advisories and taking action in several districts.VHP central joint general secretary Surendra Jain alleged that offering namaz on roads was “not prayer but disturbance” and claimed the practice violated constitutional norms as well as judicial orders. He referred to earlier court observations and orders by multiple high courts against blocking public roads for prayers.Jain alleged that in places such as Gurugram, large gatherings for Friday prayers had earlier caused massive traffic jams and inconvenience to commuters, schoolchildren and ambulance services. He also claimed that several Muslim-majority countries restricted prayers on roads.The VHP leader alleged that such gatherings were often used as “shows of strength” rather than arising from lack of space in mosques.
