Lucknow: The district administration in Aligarh has banned all religious activities on roads after reports emerged that some right-wing groups were organising aarti and Hanuman Chalisa recitations on roads as retaliation against Muslims offering namaz on streets.
“No religious activities will not be allowed on roads without prior permission. I spoke to people involved in such activities and told them about the sensitivity of the issue. The law and order situation can get affected by such activities, especially in communally sensitive areas,” said CB Singh, District Magistrate, Aligarh, adding that the ban is also applicable on offering namaz, except for on occasions like the festival of Eid.
While BJP leader Manav Mahajan questioned the district administration’s decision, Sunni cleric, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, urged people to not politicise the issue.
“There is news coming of people performing aarti and reciting Hanuman Chalisa in retaliation to namaz being offered on roads. People should understand that only when the mosque is packed to capacity that people are forced to offer namaz outside on road sometimes. Even in other religions, when the place of worship is full, people stand outside to pray,” Maulana Khalid Rasheed said.
“I would like to request everyone to not to make an issue out of it. Also, people from the Muslim community should try to offer mamaz inside the mosque. I would also like to request Hindu brothers that aarti and Hanuman Chalisa are sacred and should not be used for political interests. The Hindu-Muslim brotherhood, which has been going on for decades, must be preserved at all costs. At the same time, I would like to request Muslims to cooperate in the ongoing Kanwar Yatra,” added Maulana Khalid Rasheed.
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