HC Denies Permission For Mass Prayers At A Mumbai Mosque During Ramzan
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused a city trust to allow people to offer prayers at its mosque in South Mumbai during Ramadan, stating that the status of the COVID-19 situation was “serious and critical” and the safety of citizens was more important.
The court said, “The right to celebrate or follow any religious practice is important but more paramount and more important is public order and the protection of citizens.”
It was hearing a petition filed by the Juma Masjid Mosque Trust, which allowed people from the Muslim community to offer namaz five times a day at its mosque in South Mumbai.
The petitioner stated that the mosque is spread over an acre and may gather around 7,000 people at a time.
However, given the status of COVID-19, only 50 persons will be allowed to offer prayers during the Ramadan period and all safety precautions will be followed.
Additional government petitioner Jyoti Chavan, appearing for the Maharashtra government, opposed the petition, saying that the situation in Mumbai and Maharashtra was worrisome.
Chavan said, “We cannot make an exception for any religion in a period of 15 days. We cannot tolerate this level and all citizens should cooperate,” Chavan said.
He said that the government is not stopping anyone from following his religion, but they should do it in their homes.
The court rejected the petition, stating that it could not consider the petitioner’s request in view of the COVID-19 situation, which is “serious and significant in nature.”
“In our view, the restrictions imposed by the state government are due to COVID-19 circumstances. Given the current situation in Maharashtra and the ground reality, we cannot allow the petitioner to offer namaz in the mosque,” said HC.
The government’s order of sanctions is in the public interest and for the safety of all residents of Maharashtra.
The bench said that in the past, many courts across the country refused to allow many other religious gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under an unprecedented COVID-19 wave, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced a severe ban on public agitation across the state over the next 15 days.
As part of the curse, all religious places and malls will remain closed.
The ban, which excludes essential services, will be in force from 8 pm on Wednesday and will remain in force from 7 am on 1 May.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Tuesday that Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC) prohibits the gathering of five or more people at one place will be in force during this period.
(With PTI Inputs)
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like us on Facebook for the latest updates and interesting stories.
