Tensions flare in Uttarakhand over namaz in municipal hall; Muslims asked to pray at home

Dehradun: Authorities closed down the municipal hall in Jyotirmath after communal tensions flared over Muslims offering namaz inside a public building, and directed that prayers be performed only within private residences.

The controversy erupted after a video circulated on social media showing people offering prayers inside the Jyotirmath Municipal Board premises. This drew objections from local right-wing groups and led the municipal board to convene an emergency meeting on Thursday night, TNIE reported.

After the meeting, the administration decided to lock the hall and withdraw any informal permission that had allowed the space to be used for religious purposes.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Jyotirmath, Chandrashekhar Vashisht, said the video had gone viral and that no formal approval had been taken from the municipality to use the hall, which led to the decision to close the venue. He added that the Muslim community had been asked to offer prayers at home and that officials claimed the community had agreed to this arrangement. The administration also maintained that the situation in the town remained peaceful and under close watch.

Following the order, local Muslims performed the weekly Friday prayers inside their homes on Friday. However, residents said the decision had caused unease within the community.

Long-time residents pointed out that the town had previously shown flexibility, recalling that Ramzan prayers were earlier allowed in the municipal building after payment of a fee, and that the current dispute arose mainly because written permission had not been obtained this time.

They also flagged practical difficulties, saying that conducting congregational Ramzan prayers inside small homes was challenging and that access to a larger hall was often necessary.

Others in the locality stressed that while the episode had created discomfort, it should not be allowed to damage long-standing social ties. They said their families had lived in the town for generations without friction and urged the administration to take a more humane and accommodating approach to the community’s religious needs.