Protestors occupy namaz site in Gurgaon; say a volleyball court will be built

Members reportedly affiliated with Hindu groups occupied a namaz site in Sector 12A in Gurgaon to prevent Muslims from praying. The protest is against namaz in open spaces. A similar incident had taken place last week as well.

Protestors were seen sitting around the site in the morning, and they claimed to be making a volleyball court. One of the members told NDTV that they will build a volleyball court here but will not allow namaz, no matter what.

Last week, some people had assembled at the site and spread cow dung cakes. Right-wing groups had said that they were holding a puja there. The cow dung was left untouched till today. Protestors held placards reading "Gurgaon administration, wake up from your sleep."

Last month, protesters claimed that "Rohingya refugees" used prayers as an excuse to commit crimes in the area.

Muslims participating in public prayers have been facing intimidation and protests for the past few weeks. Muslim organisations said that they would not be offering prayers until they have an agreement with "Hindu brothers," reported NDTV.

After similar clashes took place between two communities in 2018, the site in Sector 12A was designated for Muslims offering namaz. The two groups had reached an agreement. Some of these spaces are public property, but one private property is used for namaz.

However, some Gurgaon neighbourhoods have been seeing resistance from right-wing groups who are against Muslims praying at what they claim to be public spaces.

The authorities withdrew permission given to Muslim organisations after objections were raised. The Gurgaon administration said that if objections were raised at other sites, permission would not be given. Eight sites have already lost permits. A committee constituted by Deputy Commissioner Yash Garg will hold discussions on identifying alternative sites.