As the holy month of Ramadan unfolds, the last Friday before Eid, known as Farewell Friday, approaches. Eid is imminent. Meanwhile, in just two days, the sacred Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri will begin. Recollect, the last Ramadan Friday coincided with Holi. Be it a Muslim festival or a Hindu festivity, these celebrations often align closely. Under these circumstances, it raises the question: on one side, Muslims are celebrated with gifts, yet why is there talk of division on the other side?
While one side celebrates with gifts of clothes, lentils, rice, vermicelli, mustard oil, sugar, and dates, there's a ripple of division. Demands to close meat shops during Navratri are coupled with incendiary statements from Sambhal's CO—'if vermicelli is to be served, then be ready to enjoy some Gujia as well'—which has sparked controversy.
Indeed, a heated debate has begun over Farewell Friday prayers. From Delhi to Sambhal and Sambhal to Meerut, warnings have been circulated that no prayers should be held on roads or rooftops. Delhi BJP legislators have approached the Police Commissioner regarding this, and in Sambhal, a Peace Committee meeting was conducted to warn that praying anywhere other than a mosque could result in strict action. Meanwhile, Meerut police have stated that anyone found praying on the streets could face repercussions, including suspension of their driving license and passport. SP City Ayush Vikram highlighted that in case of legal issues, passports and licenses could be revoked until a court-issued NOC is obtained.
Source: aajtak
Jayant Chaudhary Disapproves of Meerut Police's Statement
However, the statement by Meerut police has not found favor with BJP ally and Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary. The head of BJP's ally party compared the police orders in Meerut to Orwellian 1984, suggesting the policing and governance resemble the unrestrained power depicted in George Orwell's novel. His veiled question might arise from the fact that Muslims across places from Delhi to Bihar receive Eid gifts, yet before the last Friday prayers in Sambhal, CO Anuj Chaudhary's remarks seem more political than anything else.
Messages of Big Significance Being Drawn
Sambhal CO Anuj Chaudhary remarked that everyone is free to celebrate their festival in their own way. If my statement was incorrect, challenge it in the Supreme Court or High Court. I spoke equally for both sides. Everyone is entitled to their rights. If you want to serve Eid's vermicelli, you must also try the Gujia. Amid such statements, the question is, when a significant message is being conveyed through gifts on one side, is the attempt to marginalize it, or is this political maneuvering?
Stringent Measures in Delhi, Sambhal, and Meerut
In Sambhal, the police and administration announced that prayers on roads and rooftops are prohibited. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP legislator Karnail Singh wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner requesting that Farewell Friday prayers not occur on the streets. Additionally, UP's Meerut SP City issued strict orders warning that any street prayers on Farewell Friday or Eid could result in confiscation of passports and licenses. Politics has now erupted over these comments.
Source: aajtak
Political Chaos Over BJP Legislator's Demands
In his letter, BJP legislator Karnail Singh noted that street prayers occur every Friday, causing traffic jams and trapping ambulances. A similar incident happened near Mata Temple in Connaught Place, where an ambulance was stuck for half an hour. Despite space available in mosques, why pray on roads? We do not oppose any law; everyone must follow laws. AAP legislator Chaudhary Zubair countered that prayers do not occur on streets in Delhi, and if they do, it’s out of compulsion. Singh remarked some BJP leaders have nothing to do. One demands the closure of meat shops; another finds issues with prayers and Azaan. BJP legislator Mohan Singh Bisht mentioned that he wrote the letter reflecting public sentiment. We are not against prayers, but please conduct them in mosques and avoid troubling others on main roads.
