Freedom to worship

The repeated attempts to disrupt the offering of prayers by Muslims in and around Gurugram are disturbing and distressing.  A few days ago, some young men disrupted the prayers by raising slogans. They were arrested, and subsequently released on bail. Subsequently, there has been a demand from an umbrella organisation representing Hindutva bodies that Muslims be banned from offering prayers in open spaces “in the vicinity of Hindu-dominated neighbourhoods”. Even as the Friday prayers last week went off without any incident, the police and the administration do not deserve any pat on the back. Rather, they must be held to account for allowing the situation to deteriorate to an extent where members of a religious group have to be given police protection while performing prayers.

India is a secular country where freedom of religion is a fundamental right. It is guaranteed to all Indians under Article 25-28 of the Constitution. Freedom to worship is an inalienable part of freedom of religion and any attempt to violate it by disrupting prayers is a gross violation of the fundamental right. All kinds of disingenuous arguments are being advanced as ‘justification’ for such actions. These are simply wrong.

India is rightfully proud that four major world religions — Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism — come from the country. The diversity of religious practices is one of its greatest strengths. Sustained rhetoric by right wing propagandists has sought to turn the colourful pattern of the secular fabric of India monochromatic. In the process, social harmony has been severely disrupted, and the government, which is supposed to provide leadership and ensure protection of the minorities, has been found severely lacking. The Khattar government in Haryana cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the goings-on in Gurugram, and neither can the Centre. Haryana needs to act to ensure not only the safety of the worshippers, but also safeguard their right to worship without fear, something that will take far more than mere police protection.