Is offering prayer a criminal act? UP police arrest 4 for offering Friday prayer

Criminalising the offering of prayers on private property, where there is no nearby mosque, the UP police arrested at least four individuals for offering Friday namaz in Jam Samant village in Bareilly district, following a complaint by a Hindutva group leader, on charges of disturbing public order.

The property, reportedly owned by the village pradhan's family, was allegedly converted into a makeshift mosque for the collective prayer session, and police identified seven people involved, including the village pradhan, Mohammad Arif, who is currently absconding alongside two others.

The arrests followed a video circulated by Himanshu Patel, Bareilly district president of the Hindu Jagran Manch’s youth wing, which showed a group of people offering namaz at the site. Upon investigation, the police confirmed the unauthorized gathering and filed an FIR against the individuals under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to disobedience to an order promulgated by a public servant.

The incident has prompted law enforcement to increase security in the predominantly Muslim village to prevent any potential unrest. The police have also locked the premises, ensuring no further unauthorized gatherings occur. The village pradhan’s brother is among those arrested, and efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining accused.

According to the organisation, residents of the village, which lacks both a mosque and a temple, typically travel to nearby villages for prayers. The video allegedly showed a tin shed covering a walled area where the prayers were held.

Local police confirmed that the site had been used for joint prayers for the past year, despite it not being a recognized mosque. The investigation continues as authorities aim to ensure compliance with local regulations and maintain communal harmony in the area.