India: Police crack down on Muslim prayer in open

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI

Police in Uttar Pradesh, India cracking down on Muslim employees praying in open areas like parks, local media reported on Tuesday.

Police in the city of Noida, which is a hub of industrial units and other businesses, have asked private offices and other establishments to direct their Muslim employees to stop doing Friday prayers in open areas, saying they lack a permit, reported The Indian Express.

"According to a notice issued last week by police stations in Noida ... companies will be held liable if their employees are found violating the directive," said the report on Tuesday.

Uttar Pradesh is controlled by the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Local company executives say there is concern that the order could spread to other firms and nearby areas, the report added.

The report quoted Pankaj Rai, a police officer in Noida, saying the order was based on “several complaints regarding a large number of people offering Namaz in the afternoon especially on Fridays.”

“Earlier only around 10-15 people assembled in the parks to offer Friday prayers and there were no complaints regarding that. However, over the last few weeks, the numbers have risen significantly.

"Over the last couple of weeks, around 500-600 people assembled in the afternoon to offer Namaz,” triggering the complaints, he explained.

Instead of in the open, the workers should pray “in a Masjid [small mosque], [an open south Asian Muslim prayer area], or within the office compound on the roof, etc.,” he added.

According to police, the notices were issued as there are concerns that harmony could be disturbed ahead of general elections next April and May.