Haryana CM says namaz in open spaces will not be tolerated in his state

New Delhi: With several Hindu outfits objecting to Friday prayers being offered in open spaces in Gurgaon, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday stated that Namaz in open spaces will not be tolerated in his state.

The CM was addressing the media on the ongoing impasse over the offering of Namaz at the public places in various sectors in Gurugram, Haryana.

"An amicable solution to the matter should and would be found," he said. Offering public prayers is leading to clashes, he said and that should not happen. "We'd found a solution but that was found ineffective. There will be new talks to find a solution," said Khattar, announcing that his government has withdrawn the previous circular that mentioned some designated sites to offer Friday prayers.

The Chief Minister said that until an "amicable solution" which doesn't encroach on anyone's rights is found, people should offer prayers at their homes and other places of worship.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Khattar said, "I have spoken to the police and this issue must be resolved. We don't have problems with anyone praying at places of worship. Those places have been built for this purpose."

"But these should not be done in the open. We won't tolerate the custom of offering namaz in the open," the Chief Minister maintained.

The administration will work out ways to help free areas and sites belonging to the Waqf that may have been encroached upon, he said.

Over the past months, members of some Hindu outfits have been gathering at sites where the Muslim community offers namaz in open space and raising "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Jai Shri Ram" slogans.

Three years ago, the district administration had designated 37 sites in Gurgaon city for Muslims to offer Friday namaz after which there were protests by some Hindu groups.

A few months ago, one group started protests against the prayers offered in the open after which there have been protests on Fridays for the past several weeks.