Maintaining a balance

As a secular nation that allows freedom of religion to everyone, India has a proud multi-cultural tradition. It is, however, a matter of concern that communally surcharged objections get more oxygen than they should, thereby causing strife in our society. Even as the disingenuous narrative around eating of beef and suspicion over nationalism of a particular community continues to simmer in the country, Noida faces another potentially volatile test: how to tackle the issue of Muslims offering namaz in certain open public spaces in its IT hub of Sector 58. Going by a similar disturbing situation that vitiated the atmosphere in another part of the NCR — Gurugram — a few months ago, the danger of matters taking an ugly twist looms. The onus rests with the authorities to act with sensitivity and sagacity and contain the problem before it turns into a flashpoint. It calls for an impartial stand, without any hint of the state playing complicit to one view and mute spectator to the other. 

Friday prayers held in parks and on roads were interrupted in Gurugram for a couple of weeks in April-May, till Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar intervened in the matter. The administration had initially proposed that the Muslims be allowed to offer namaz only in mosques, idgahs and designated spots so that the movement of the general public would not be affected, but later the matter was sorted out. This shows that political will is necessary to find solutions to issues that could otherwise become problematic. The majoritarian mindset needs to be more accommodating. 

Now, as the Noida administration tackles the issue, it would do well to do a fine balancing act on the politically sensitive matter. Its order that namaz be performed within the company premises and not in public parks seems to be singling out the religious practice of a particular community. Holding the firms accountable for staffers not following the order smacks of an authoritarian and narrow mindset. The UP government must maintain a balanced approach and show maturity while dealing with this sensitive matter.