Namaz in open spaces controversy was back to haunt Haryana's Gurugram

The ongoing ‘namaz’ in open spaces controversy was back to haunt Haryana’s Gurugram this Friday as number of Muslims who reached the HUDA ground for Friday prayers were turned back by police. They left without creating any ruckus.By 1.30 pm on Friday, the recently launched Hindutva group Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, an umbrella body of the local units of 12 right-wing groups including the Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Kranti Dal and the Hindu Jagran Manch managed to stop prayer meetings at 10 places.

There were disruptions to namaz at Wazirabad, Bakhtawar Chowk Atul Kataria Chowk, Cyber Park and at South City, the police said.The local administration has assured the Samiti that there would not be ‘namaz’ prayers at the ground without prior permission from authorities.

A team of nearly 40 policemen, headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Anil Yadav, was deployed at the ground in Wazirabad area and told them to go and pray in a mosque.