Right-wingers lead namaz disruption in Gurugram; 20 detained

Tribune News Service
Gurugram December 3

A fringe Hindu organisation led protesters to disrupt namaz in Gurugram’s Sector 37 in what has over the past couple of years become an almost weekly occurrence despite the presence of law enforcement authorities at prayer sites.

Police detained 20 protesters after repeated entreaties to back off went unheard. Protesters meanwhile said they were well within their right to protest, calling their agitation peaceful although chants of “Jai Shri Ram” rent the air.

“Jai Shri Ram” is a Hindu holy chant that critics see increasingly as an intimidation tactic.

A senior policeman claimed on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorised to speak that the group of protesters was led by a habitual troublemaker who has been detained before for similar actions.

Police claimed there were even attempts to stop the weekly “jumma prayers” after several people parked their trucks and buses at the designated namaz site claiming there were “parking issues”.

Namaz disruptions in Gurugram have become a weekly event, with protests leading the administration to even cancel explicit permission given for such public prayers in some sites. Protests have mostly been led by fringe Hindu organisations who have claimed public disruption of peace if Friday prayers were allowed in public places. Critics however have called these disruptions an attempt to demonise Muslims and fear the shrinkage of public spaces for Muslims as a consequence of such actions.