Will hold firms liable if staff offer namaz in public: Noida police

[Varun]

In a move that has triggered concern in Noida’s industrial hub, the Uttar Pradesh Police has ordered offices and establishments to direct their Muslim employees to stop offering Friday prayers in open areas such as parks.

According to a notice issued last week by police stations in Noida, including at the Sector 58 industrial hub, companies will be held liable if their employees are found violating the directive.

It is learnt that companies in the area have sought a meeting with senior Noida police officers for clarification on the matter, particularly on the clause that threatens to hold them liable for violations of the order by employees.

Executives of some of the companies who have been served the notices said there is widespread concern among units in sectors other than where the notices have already been served. It has also sparked worries that the ambit of the directive could be widened to include other areas in the National Capital Region township. Sector 58 is predominantly an IT and services hub.

The Noida Police has defended the move citing concerns that communal harmony could be disturbed, especially in the run-up to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

“Yes, we have sent notices to many companies in our area after several complaints regarding a large number of people offering Namaz in the afternoon especially on Fridays. Since most people offering prayers are employees in companies nearby, we have sent notices to those companies to ask their employees to either offer Namaz in a Masjid, Eidgah or within the office compound on the roof etc,” said Pankaj Rai, SHO of the Sector 58 police station, from where the initial round of notices were issued.

Noida SSP, Ajay Pal Sharma, did not respond to text messages. The police notice states: “We want to inform you that there is no permission from the administration to conduct any kind of religious activity including Namaz offered on Friday in the Authority park in Sector 58. It has been often seen that the Muslim workers of your company assemble in the park to offer Namaz and I, the SHO, have told the group to not hold prayers in the park. Also, their plea to the city magistrate has not received any permission to do so.”

“Thus, it is expected from you that you at your level inform your Muslim employees to not come to the park to offer Namaz. If employees of your company come to the park, it will be assumed that you have not informed your employees and your company will be held liable.”

According to Rai, an increasing number of people offering payers had triggered the notices. “Earlier only around 10-15 people assembled in the parks to offer Friday prayers and there were no complaints regarding that. However, over the last few weeks, the numbers have risen significantly. Over the last couple of weeks, around 500-600 people assembled in the afternoon to offer Namaz and we got several complaints regarding such assembly of people in the public park,” he said.

“When we spoke to some of the attendees, we found that many of them were not even working in the companies in the area. So, what is happening is that seeing people assembling for Namaz, others are also assembling,” he said.

“The elections are approaching and there is some concern on that front too, as it may lead to some disharmony,” he said, adding that companies need not worry about the notices. “While companies can’t do anything about private matters, we expect the companies to inform their employees that the company has received a notice regarding the issue and they need to offer Namaz either in Masjids, Eidgahs or within their office premises,” he said.

Spread over 20,316 hectares, Noida has about 15,280 hectares notified for urban use. Of this, around 1,270 hectares have been developed for commercial and industrial activities. The companies that have offices in Noida include HCL Technologies, Alstom Systems, Xansa, Interra, Polaris, R Systems, RMSI, Cadence, Adobe international, TCS, ST Microelectronics, Samsung and Minda Huf.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/up-noida-police-namaz-in-open-muslim-friday-prayers-5508399/

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Interesting. They should maybe consider following the directive of hardline Islamic govts which are banning public displays of Christianity in their countries, hence banning Christmas trees in town centres and the like.

 

[Sidilicious]

In Europe, most SMEs provide prayer rooms. Given how religious sub continent is, I would have thought Indian companies did too.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I dont get this point of assembling at public places like parks,roads etc and offering namaz. Why not offer it in your private space?

I can understand this happening once in a while like Id Namaz etc but every week it becomes a matter of inconvenience.

 

[cricketjoshila]

In Europe, most SMEs provide prayer rooms. Given how religious sub continent is, I would have thought Indian companies did too.

Will Indian companies also provide a temple for Hindus or a church for christians or a gurudwara for Sikhs? In the SC its impossible because of the sheer numbers of the people of different religion.

 

[gazza619]

I dont get this point of assembling at public places like parks,roads etc and offering namaz. Why not offer it in your private space?

I can understand this happening once in a while like Id Namaz etc but every week it becomes a matter of inconvenience.

Friday prayer is the only prayer which need to be in a gathering and cannot be performed solely at home.

I do agree though that the muslims need to be more responsible and find a place where they have official permission to do do or find a mosque. I wont even like to see this in an Islamic country. Public parks are for families and children having a day out.

 

[Sidilicious]

Will Indian companies also provide a temple for Hindus or a church for christians or a gurudwara for Sikhs? In the SC its impossible because of the sheer numbers of the people of different religion.

The rooms are for all religons. Its pretty much just a room. IIRC people can take a small idol or a cross if they like during prayers.

Having said that, I would prefer that religion is not given importance at all by the larger society and the government. But we all know that’s not happening for a while, at least not in India.

 

[Birdman]

I dont get this point of assembling at public places like parks,roads etc and offering namaz. Why not offer it in your private space?

I can understand this happening once in a while like Id Namaz etc but every week it becomes a matter of inconvenience.

Why shouldn’t they not assemble in an open area and pray? They should be allowed to pray as long as they are not disturbing anyone or causing trouble. Indians are busy bodies, they like to poke their nose in other people’s business instead of minding their own.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why shouldn’t they not assemble in an open area and pray? They should be allowed to pray as long as they are not disturbing anyone or causing trouble. Indians are busy bodies, they like to poke their nose in other people’s business instead of minding their own.

Public parks are not for regular religious gathering. Its a public place not a religious place.

 

[TM Riddle]

Why shouldn’t they not assemble in an open area and pray? They should be allowed to pray as long as they are not disturbing anyone or causing trouble. Indians are busy bodies, they like to poke their nose in other people’s business instead of minding their own.

Roads and Public Parks aren't for religious assemblies.
Like a poster above said, providing a separate room once a week should be the way to go. I'm sure it can be arranged. Even the terrace would work just fine.

 

[Syed1]

On the day of Quaid's birthday we are once again reminded of this great man's gift to us. Thank you Mr. Jinnah and also many thanks to my forefathers for making the arduous journey to the new land, had they not moved I would have been a second class citizens Ike Kaif or Naseeruddin Shah constantly having to proof allegiance to the state.

 

[Birdman]

Public parks are not for regular religious gathering. Its a public place not a religious place.

Who is public? They are taxpayers and they have every right to use their Park in peaceful manner. Yes, they could,go to mosque and pray, but if the park is closer and convenient for the, they should be allowed to use it.
I read the article fully now and see why the authorities are concerned. You can’t let 500 people gather in a park and offer prayer. It sure defeats the purpose of the “park.” May be the worshippers can rent a warehouse or something close by and use it for prayer.

 

[Birdman]

On the day of Quaid's birthday we are once again reminded of this great man's gift to us. Thank you Mr. Jinnah and also many thanks to my forefathers for making the arduous journey to the new land, had they not moved I would have been a second class citizens Ike Kaif or Naseeruddin Shah constantly having to proof allegiance to the state.

Let’s see how you feel when a group take over a place where you go to relax. If one or two people praying it’s ok, how can you let 600 people gather in a park for prayer. Do you think about other people who may want to use the park for their recreation?

 

[Sidilicious]

On the day of Quaid's birthday we are once again reminded of this great man's gift to us. Thank you Mr. Jinnah and also many thanks to my forefathers for making the arduous journey to the new land, had they not moved I would have been a second class citizens Ike Kaif or Naseeruddin Shah constantly having to proof allegiance to the state.

Yes, any Muslim defending India is not doing out of love for the country, but out of fear. But its easy to forget the Indian muslims who have been responsible for developing the Indian nuclear bomb or fought and won battles against Pakistan.

 

[Sidilicious]

Will Indian companies also provide a temple for Hindus or a church for christians or a gurudwara for Sikhs? In the SC its impossible because of the sheer numbers of the people of different religion.

The rooms are for all religons. Its pretty much just a room. IIRC people can take a small idol or a cross if they like during prayers.

Having said that, I would prefer that religion is not given importance at all by the larger society and the government. But we all know that’s not happening for a while, at least not in India.

Just to add, you will already find such prayer rooms in Delhi and Mumbai airports.

 

[Syed1]

Yes, any Muslim defending India is not doing out of love for the country, but out of fear. But its easy to forget the Indian muslims who have been responsible for developing the Indian nuclear bomb or fought and won battles against Pakistan.

How does that in anyway relate to me thanking Quaid-e-Azam?

 

[Birdman]

On the day of Quaid's birthday we are once again reminded of this great man's gift to us. Thank you Mr. Jinnah and also many thanks to my forefathers for making the arduous journey to the new land, had they not moved I would have been a second class citizens Ike Kaif or Naseeruddin Shah constantly having to proof allegiance to the state.

Sad part is Mr.Jinnah would be disqualified to lead preaent day Pakistan.

 

[shaaik]

Who is public? They are taxpayers and they have every right to use their Park in peaceful manner. Yes, they could,go to mosque and pray, but if the park is closer and convenient for the, they should be allowed to use it.
I read the article fully now and see why the authorities are concerned. You can’t let 500 people gather in a park and offer prayer. It sure defeats the purpose of the “park.” May be the worshippers can rent a warehouse or something close by and use it for prayer.

The reason why they are to pray in parks is because there are no masjids around. I hv worked in Noida and it really is a pain to find a place to pray on Fridays. The people praying in those parks unfortunately have no other option.

 

[Sidilicious]

How does that in anyway relate to me thanking Quaid-e-Azam?

You put Kaif's and Naseeruddin Shah's reply to Imran, stating that it was done out of fear. Had you kept that out, I would have no reason to respond to your post.

 

[Syed1]

You put Kaif's and Naseeruddin Shah's reply to Imran, stating that it was done out of fear. Had you kept that out, I would have no reason to respond to your post.

First try to figure out why outspoken folks like Gambhir or Sehwag didn't feel the need to tweet regarding this topic, but Kaif had to do it.

 

[Sidilicious]

First try to figure out why outspoken folks like Gambhir or Sehwag didn't feel the need to tweet regarding this topic, but Kaif had to do it.

Why dont you first figure out why muslims helped build India the nuclear bomb or were awarded the highest military honour in the wars against Pakistan?

 

[Syed1]

Why dont you first figure out why muslims helped build India the nuclear bomb or were awarded the highest military honour in the wars against Pakistan?

Don't tell me what to do. If Indian Muslims were so happy in India we wouldn't even be discussing this topic. Which brings us back to my original post of where I thanked Quaid for a separate homeland and my ancestors for moving there.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

India is clearly having issues with minorities and morality. Some Indians think that they can get away from it by arguing it away. From killing Kashmiris, to supporting child marriages, to considering life of cow as far superior to a life of Muslim, to considering Christian missionaries as traitors, to stopping Muslims from offering prayers, to lynching them based on false allegations, to changing non-Hindu names of cities to Hindu names. Some Indian posters here can argue it away but you can not live in an alternative reality where everything is right and it’s the minorities and Pakistanis who are solely at fault.

 

[moghul]

Public places should not let any religious activity take place on a large scale, for Muslim, Hindus and everyone.

 

[AlizeeFan]

Interesting. They should maybe consider following the directive of hardline Islamic govts which are banning public displays of Christianity in their countries, hence banning Christmas trees in town centres and the like.

All good companies provide separate prayer rooms or spaces for prayer to their employees in Kolkata and Hyderabad.

 

[Lonewarrior]

Sad part is Mr.Jinnah would be disqualified to lead preaent day Pakistan.

How ? can you explain plz.

 

[KingKhanWC]

If it was a genuine case of parks being taken over by religous prayers it would be understandable. Knowing India it's another attack on Indian Muslims.

 

[Lonewarrior]

on the day of quaid's birthday we are once again reminded of this great man's gift to us. Thank you mr. Jinnah and also many thanks to my forefathers for making the arduous journey to the new land, had they not moved i would have been a second class citizens ike kaif or naseeruddin shah constantly having to proof allegiance to the state.

this.

 

[cricketjoshila]

First try to figure out why outspoken folks like Gambhir or Sehwag didn't feel the need to tweet regarding this topic, but Kaif had to do it.

First try to figure out who did IK talk about. Minorities. Hence people from the minority community spoke up.

Secondly these are the people whose ancestors rejected Jinnah and his ideas and now they are telling the present Pakistani PM to mind his own business.

So if these people didnot care what founder or PM of Pakistan had to say, you think they care about your certificate of who is first class and who is 2nd class? LOL.

 

[Syed1]

First try to figure out who did IK talk about. Minorities. Hence people from the minority community spoke up.

Secondly these are the people whose ancestors rejected Jinnah and his ideas and now they are telling the present Pakistani PM to mind his own business.

So if these people didnot care what founder or PM of Pakistan had to say, you think they care about your certificate of who is first class and who is 2nd class? LOL.

They care enough to constantly talk about it hahahha chotay log )

 

[cricketjoshila]

They care enough to constantly talk about it hahahha chotay log )

Someone tried peeping into their homes.They hit some sense into him. Thats called showing people their places.

Poor IK, trying to get some importance in India. Constantly being put into his place.

 

[Syed1]

Someone tried peeping into their homes.They hit some sense into him. Thats called showing people their places.

Poor IK, trying to get some importance in India. Constantly being put into his place.

Being put in his place .... Hit some sense ) )


Omg take it easy on us shakti-man

 

[Sidilicious]

Someone tried peeping into their homes.They hit some sense into him. Thats called showing people their places.

Poor IK, trying to get some importance in India. Constantly being put into his place.

Its funny how IK has been passing comments on India since he came into power. And our senior politicians have been ignoring him (as they should). That must've been getting to him and he is bringing India into whatever he can.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

All good companies provide separate prayer rooms or spaces for prayer to their employees in Kolkata and Hyderabad.

I'm assuming these companies don't, hence these employees offering prayers in public space. In any case, my point was that clearly public displays of faith are a problem in this Indian district, that is why it reminds me of the Islamic injunctions raised by some Muslim countries banning Christmas trees in town centres.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Its funny how IK has been passing comments on India since he came into power. And our senior politicians have been ignoring him (as they should). That must've been getting to him and he is bringing India into whatever he can.

Yes he should be ignored.

 

[Saj]

Does this directive apply to all religions?

 

[RickyG]

Secular India is fast becoming the France of Asia. /Sarcasm

 

[Swashbuckler]

Does this directive apply to all religions?

Yes to all religions, the heading of this thread is incomplete .

Relevant quotes:

Citing a Supreme Court order of 2009, officials said there is a clear ban on unauthorised use of public places for religious activities by all religions.

The notices, which were issued by Sector 58 Station House Officer (SHO) Pankaj Rai earlier this month, stated that a park of the Noida Authority in the area was "not permitted to be used for religious gatherings, including the Friday namaaz".

"We reaffirm that the 2009 Supreme Court order will be implemented in letter and spirit and request to everyone that if any such activity or a new activity has to be done in a public place then first take permission from the administration, otherwise it would be deemed illegal," Singh said.

The district officials referred to the apex court's ruling in the 2009 case of the Union Of India vs State Of Gujarat and Others, in which it had ruled that no unauthorised construction shall be carried out or permitted in the name of temple, church, mosque or gurdwara on public streets, public parks or other public places.

https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2018/12/25/del17-ncr-namaaz-police.html

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Noida Park Waterlogged, Cops Keep An Eye As Few Turn Up For Namaz
The local authorities had watered the park, which served as a venue for collective Friday namaz for the past few years and where hundreds used to turn up every week

NOIDA: Days after a Noida park was declared out of bounds for religious activities, only a dozen people turned up there for the Friday namaz only to find parts of the ground waterlogged even as the police keeping a vigil.
Early this month, the Noida Police had issued orders stating that Friday prayers cannot be held at the government plot as there was no requisite permission.

A fire tender was also deployed outside the park on Friday.

The local authorities had watered the park, which served as a venue for collective Friday namaz for the past few years and where hundreds used to turn up every week.

Those who came for the prayers but could not offer namaz expressed disappointment, claiming that it was only the last and this Friday that water was released into the park since it started hosting the prayers.

A Noida Authority official said watering in the parks is done by maintenance contractors and they decide when to do this. "The maintenance of the parks is looked after by contractors. They decide when to water it, trim the grass and clean it," the official, who did not wish to be named, told news agency PTI.

Scores of personnel including those from Sector 58 and nearby police stations and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) were deployed in and around the park. A fire tender was also stationed outside it.

Adil Rashid, one of the organisers of the Friday prayers at the park since 2013, on Thursday had appealed to the Muslims not to go to the park, saying permission for religious gatherings had been denied by the administration.

Cleric Noman Akhtar, who had been leading the prayers over the years, had also said he will not be joining the namaz on Friday in the park.

Mohd Mushtaq Khan, who works in a private company in adjoining Sector 59 and turned up for the namaz, said he had been coming to the park for over five years now.

"There is no other space where we can go. I come at 1.30 pm and everyone gets done offering namaz by 2 pm."

"It's only today and last Friday that the park has been watered. Otherwise, there would be arrangement of water at a corner in the park for wajoo," the 33-year-old told news agency PTI.

He said since there was no permission for holding namaz there, they could not enter the park.

Meraj Ahmed, who also came for offering namaz, said going to far off places looking for a mosque was not possible in a half-hour lunch break. He said that on Fridays he gets a one-hour break from his company considering the prayers, but even that "does not solve my problem".

"There is no provision by the companies also, so we used to come here. I don't know what will we do next Friday," Ahmed, 27, said.

A senior police official said they did not receive any reports of conflict on Friday. "We had told them that a proper channel has to be followed, that is get permission from the administration and then we don't have any problem. They agreed," Rajeev Kumar said.

Shadab Ansari, 28, said the namaz on Jumma (Friday) is considered significant than other days and it is also believed the more people join you, the better it is and an open space is preferred.

"However, for people like us in the corporate world it is not easy to find space for prayers. Those who go to open spaces don't do it just for the sake of it. It is because the mosques are far and time restrictions are to be followed," the software engineer said.

He said the namaz hardly takes 20 minutes. "I tell you the Friday prayers are the most peaceful. There have hardly been any (communal) incident during Friday prayers".

Noting that some people claim mosques could be built in public parks if namaz is allowed, he said construction on "illegally occupied land" is considered bad in Islam.

Ansari, who works in a multinational firm in Noida, said there are several companies, like his, where employees get ample space for prayers.

Gurinder Pal Singh said offering prayers in public spaces might lead to problems and the companies or establishments can help it.

"My company and a couple of others nearby have provided a separate area for Muslims to offer prayers," Mr Singh, 27, said.

A software engineer, Mr Singh said his colleagues use a designated space within the building to offer prayers everyday and no one has objected to it.

"If they go out and use public space, it may lead to encroachment and others may follow suit. So, it is also for the companies to ensure facilities for their employees," he said.

Hindu Yuva Vahini district president Chainpal Bhati said the government's intention is not to hurt anybody's religious sentiments.

"The order to not use unauthorised public spaces for prayers is good and should be complied with. Nobody would object to namaz being offered in mosques, or katha being held in temples," he said.

13 COMMENTS
Federation of Noida Resident Welfare Associations president NP Singh said any activity on public land should be done with official permission only.

https://www.ndtv.com/noida-news/noi...-keep-an-eye-as-few-turn-up-for-namaz-1969541

 

[moghul]

Moulvi's should not creating this drama.

 

[Slog]

I dont get this point of assembling at public places like parks,roads etc and offering namaz. Why not offer it in your private space?

I can understand this happening once in a while like Id Namaz etc but every week it becomes a matter of inconvenience.

I’m guessing that this is done mostly by office folk.

If the company doesn’t have a prayer room and there is no closeby mosque then they would have to offer prayers in a ohbkic place

Also.. in case of Friday prayers sometimes mosque is too small to hold everyone so it extends to public space

 

[Slog]

It clearly looks that this law was unfortunately passed to inconvenience Muslims. There’s no other way

If general public was to be the beneficiary then the park wouldn’t have been hosed down and waterlogged because in its current condition it is inaccessible by all.

With the condition i doubt a family would take their kids and enjoy jumping in puddles

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

It clearly looks that this law was unfortunately passed to inconvenience Muslims. There’s no other way

If general public was to be the beneficiary then the park wouldn’t have been hosed down and waterlogged because in its current condition it is inaccessible by all.

With the condition i doubt a family would take their kids and enjoy jumping in puddles

I don't know. Rivers in subcontinent are starting to resemble giant puddles. Some of these rivers are cherished as Gods in subcontinental mythologies. So maybe this puddle will also be mythologised as a great symbol of valour and purity.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I’m guessing that this is done mostly by office folk.

If the company doesn’t have a prayer room and there is no closeby mosque then they would have to offer prayers in a ohbkic place

Also.. in case of Friday prayers sometimes mosque is too small to hold everyone so it extends to public space

Sorry but that is not an excuse to take over public places. If there is no mosque near by travel to the mosque thats nearest. If there is some requirement in any religion that is needed to be fulfilled by its follower,its upon the follower to find a proper legal way to do so without causing inconvenience to general public.

 

[Slog]

Sorry but that is not an excuse to take over public places. If there is no mosque near by travel to the mosque thats nearest. If there is some requirement in any religion that is needed to be fulfilled by its follower,its upon the follower to find a proper legal way to do so without causing inconvenience to general public.

Yea I agree that there needs to be a permanent solution.

But here the whole park has been made unusable due to water logging due to just a 2 hour activity on Friday afternoon

 

[MenInG]

Sorry but that is not an excuse to take over public places. If there is no mosque near by travel to the mosque thats nearest. If there is some requirement in any religion that is needed to be fulfilled by its follower,its upon the follower to find a proper legal way to do so without causing inconvenience to general public.

Muslims must never inconvenience others (Muslims or not). That is the basic rule.

In MiddleEast, people leave their cars in the middle of the road to do Friday namaz, with no regards to others - that has to stop also

 

[cricketjoshila]

Muslims must never inconvenience others (Muslims or not). That is the basic rule.

In MiddleEast, people leave their cars in the middle of the road to do Friday namaz, with no regards to others - that has to stop also

Why only muslims.This applies to every religion across the board. Anyone's religious compulsions are only his compulsions, he or she should not inconvenience anyone else.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Why only muslims.This applies to every religion across the board. Anyone's religious compulsions are only his compulsions, he or she should not inconvenience anyone else.

Beyond that, secular authorities should also not inconvenience others. Slog has raised a very good point, that for the sake of stopping Muslims from using the park's open space to pray for an hour or two at best, the authorities flooded the area which meant no one could use it for the rest of the time, including mothers, children and old people who may find it restful in their latter years.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Beyond that, secular authorities should also not inconvenience others. Slog has raised a very good point, that for the sake of stopping Muslims from using the park's open space to pray for an hour or two at best, the authorities flooded the area which meant no one could use it for the rest of the time, including mothers, children and old people who may find it restful in their latter years.

is there any solution you can think of, so that the authorities prevented public praying while not inconveniencing regular park users.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

is there any solution you can think of, so that the authorities prevented public praying while not inconveniencing regular park users.

Make an announcement that prayers are not to be held in public places, then police the area with some sensitivity for a few weeks to ensure compliance.

 

[ILcricket]

Religious activity if forbidden completely in public space all over the Country is fine by me . It is only when you attempt selective application it gives rise to discontent .

 

[KingKhanWC]

Religious activity if forbidden completely in public space all over the Country is fine by me . It is only when you attempt selective application it gives rise to discontent .

Dont you have cows walking in public spaces? Some stop traffic?

So a cow can roam where it likes even if it causes inconvieniece but a human cant pray in an empty space?

 

[troodon]

Dont you have cows walking in public spaces? Some stop traffic?

So a cow can roam where it likes even if it causes inconvieniece but a human cant pray in an empty space?

A cow walking on the street does not equate to Hindus praying to it.

Even Pigs, Goats, Buffaloes walk on streets.

Your comparison is laughable.

 

[KingKhanWC]

A cow walking on the street does not equate to Hindus praying to it.

Even Pigs, Goats, Buffaloes walk on streets.

Your comparison is laughable.

Does traffic stop for Pigs, goats and buffalos too? How about rats and mice?

 

[Itachi]

Does traffic stop for Pigs, goats and buffalos too? How about rats and mice?

Traffic DOES stop for pigs, goats, buffaloes, ducks, sheeps. It's a common scenario in India.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Traffic DOES stop for pigs, goats, buffaloes, ducks, sheeps. It's a common scenario in India.

I guess nobody wants to damage their cars but Im sure you know the context im speaking of. If someone was to horn at a pig or swear at it to move am I right in saying it wouldn't be as much of an issue if the person did the same to a Cow?

Being stuck in traffic because a cow is in the middle of a road is surely more of inconvienience than seeing a group of men praying in a large open park?

 

[Varun]

I guess nobody wants to damage their cars but Im sure you know the context im speaking of. If someone was to horn at a pig or swear at it to move am I right in saying it wouldn't be as much of an issue if the person did the same to a Cow?

Nothing will happen.

And those sloths don't care about car horns, medians, traffic cops, nothing. Black, white or brown they just stand there and moo like it's a national anthem being played.

As long as you don't live in Mumbai, you can still have your revenge by biting into a beef fry for dinner.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Nothing will happen.

And those sloths don't care about car horns, medians, traffic cops, nothing. Black, white or brown they just stand there and moo like it's a national anthem being played.

As long as you don't live in Mumbai, you can still have your revenge by biting into a beef fry for dinner.

So why are cows allowed to stop traffic, why not give them a danda to move them from the road? It's not the cow thats the issue where revenge is required but the people who see it's life as more valuable than a humans.

 

[Varun]

So why are cows allowed to stop traffic, why not give them a danda to move them from the road? It's not the cow thats the issue where revenge is required but the people who see it's life as more valuable than a humans.

If only we had a semblance for how a road should work down here.

Just reading that other thread where you folks have to give 100s of exams to pass a driving test is unreal!

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Some more details about this particular case - the authorities should have stopped them 5 years if this was a breach of the law/the park rules. Letting people do it for 5 years then suddenly putting a stop to it isn't a great way of dealing with this issue.

Where Do We Go Now, Ask Muslims Barred From Offering Prayers in Noida Public Park
Referring to a 2009 Supreme Court order that had prohibited religious activities without the requisite go-ahead, Noida police said the directive was not designed for one community.

Noida: Nouman Akhtar, Adil Rashid and Ehsaan Alam just need a piece of ground where they can gather as a community, spread their prayer mats and offer Friday congregational prayers in peace.

They had been doing the same every Friday for over five years at a public park in Sector 58, Noida, until district authority and Noida police put a stop to it. “We don’t want to fight with anyone; we just want to pray peacefully,” Akhtar said.

He is the imam who has presided over Friday prayers at the park in question since February 2013. But after the District Magistrate denied permission to offer namaaz at the park earlier this month and the sector 58 police station subsequently issued a directive prohibiting the practice on Monday, Muslims who live and work in Sectors 57, 58, 59 and 60 are now left without a place to pray.

“There is no mosque in a five-kilometre radius; the park was the only place for us. Now where do we go?” asked Alam. He works at a garment factory in Sector 58 and has been praying at the park for five years.

The park is surrounded by tech firms and garment factories. All employees in nearby factories and businesses get a half an hour break at 1 PM every day. Every Friday, Muslim workers, most of whom are employed in garment export businesses in nearby Sectors get an additional 15 minutes to offer Friday prayers.

Sector 58 police station sent a notice to these factories and other firms in Sector 58 and adjoining localities on Monday, advising them to deter their employees from any religious activity at the District Authority park, including Muslim employees praying at the park, or be held liable.

Alam doesn’t know where the hundreds of Muslims who peacefully gathered at the park must go now.

“Hamare office mein bhi notice bhej di. Ab hum kya kahin bhi namaaz na padhein ( They even sent a notice to our offices. Can we not pray anywhere now?” asked Alam.

What started as a gathering of a half a dozen Muslims looking for a place to sit together and offer namaaz, the congregation now has over a thousand Muslims who meet every Friday at the park during their break from work. “We are all mostly labourers from different parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Since this park was the only available open space in the area, it became our place to pray every Friday and the community grew,” Alam said.

According to Rashid, the organiser of the prayer group christened as the Mohammadiya Trust, even Muslim policemen from the area came and offered prayers with them.

District Authority and police, however, insist that the group did not have requisite permission to congregate and pray at the public park. The District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police addressed the matter at a press conference at the DM residence in Sector 27 on Tuesday.

“For permission, you must first see whose land is it. The park is a Noida Authority land and the request for permission did not have an NoC from the Noida Authority,” DM Brajesh Narayan Singh said.

The Magistrate’s office had denied the group permission to pray earlier this month. Singh also sought to downplay the matter which is now under spotlight, with many calling it a case of religious discrimination. “This is a small localised incident related to law and order. We have only taken lawful steps in line with previous Supreme Court judgment,” Singh said.

Referring to a 2009 Supreme Court order that had prohibited religious activities without the requisite go-ahead, Singh said the directive was not designed for one community. “This is applicable for all religions. This is not a mala fide directive; this is a bona fide process,” Singh said. “If they had permission from police and authority, they would be allowed to continue such activity,” he added.

The directive that was drafted by the SHO at Sector 58 police station has also left businesses in a fix, the people from prayer group said. The notice had said if the directive was flouted, the employers of Muslim workers would be held liable. Ajay Pal Sharma, SSP, Noida Police, said the missive to companies was just meant to inform. “The notice to companies is just for information so the people can know that there is no permission at the park (to offer prayers),” Sharma said at the press conference.

DM Singh also sought to clarify that the companies in the area did not have any liability in the matter, and he would hold talks with the firms to allay any fears about the notice. He, however, went on to say that the concerned officer, Sector 58 SHO Pankaj Rai, had taken ‘appropriate action’.

Curiously, the District Authority and local police have sprung into action only recently after an unknown man had allegedly threatened Akhtar and others at the park, demanding them to stop praying at the spot.

“We have been praying for over five years and there was no problem up till now,” Akhtar, the Imam said.

Trouble started on December 7, a Friday, when a man came up to the prayer group in the park and said they could not pray there any longer. “He started recording our video on the phone and threatened us, saying that if we continued to pray at the park, we would have problems,” Alam, who was present at the park at the time, said. According to him and the imam, the person refused to identify himself and only said he was a resident of Bishanpura in Noida.

According to Rashid, the man claimed he had shut down Islamic activities in other areas of Noida as well. “He said he had stopped namaaz in Sector 16 and he had gotten the loudspeakers taken down from Medina Masjid in Khoda colony as well. He made a video of us and said he would make it viral. He was trying to show us in a bad light,” Rashid said.

Bhan Singh Dami, a security guard at Techcraft, an IT services firm across the road from the park, said the man who objected to Muslims praying at place was from the Bajrang Dal. “He told me he was from the Bajrang Dal. But he didn’t give out his name,” Dami said.

After the alleged incident, Rashid and Akhtar, wrote to the DM office and Noida police seeking permission to pray and for security.

On December 14, when they came to the park to pray, they saw police waiting for them. “We thought they had come to provide us protection, but instead they told us to stop praying,” Alam said.

Police allowed them to pray that day, but said they were not allowed to gather at the park for namaaz henceforth. Akhtar and Rashid were also detained by Sector 58 police personnel after they were called for a discussion at the station on 18 December.

A disagreement between authorities and Rashid led to their arrest under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code for continuing an assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse. They were later granted bail on December 22.

Sector 58 police and the Magistrate’s office said they had received complaints about the Friday prayers from the area. The District Magistrate also said there was a law and order aspect to the issue as well as the spot was a public park meant for public purposes. “People want to use the park as a park,” Singh said.

Rai, SHO of Sector 58 police station, said that in addition to workers from nearby companies, Muslims from other areas were coming to pray at the park as well. “There were complaints from the area. If there was no complaint why would we go and check?” Rai said. “The directive is for all religions. But since Namaaz was going on, we mentioned it in the notice. If a Hindu group was gathering there, we would stop them too,” Rai added.

Rashid, however, believes it to be a case of discrimination and said there were communal forces behind the move to stop them from praying. “This started when that man came and threatened us. He had a big teeka on his forehead. With no place to go for prayer, Rashid said he will prepare a new application for the Magistrate’s office, requesting a space to offer prayers.

The DM agreed that the absence of a mosque in the area poses an issue for the community, but called it a separate problem that needed a separate solution. “Everyone is free to practise their religion. If a new application comes it will be considered,” he said.

https://www.news18.com/news/india/n...-offering-prayers-in-public-park-1983541.html

 

[KingKhanWC]

“There is no mosque in a five-kilometre radius"

" The District Magistrate also said there was a law and order aspect to the issue as well as the spot was a public park meant for public purposes. “People want to use the park as a park,” Singh said."

"“This started when that man came and threatened us. He had a big teeka on his forehead. "

Looks like the Hindu extremists have and we have people on this thread supporting them.

 

[KingKhanWC]

If only we had a semblance for how a road should work down here.

Just reading that other thread where you folks have to give 100s of exams to pass a driving test is unreal!

When you view an animal as being sacred it doesn't matter how good the road rules are, the animal will come and ruin all rules and regulations.

In the UK the freedom of society over takes any religous sentiments. You guys need to start with such an approach before improving your car learning techniques.

 

[Varun]

When you view an animal as being sacred it doesn't matter how good the road rules are, the animal will come and ruin all rules and regulations.

1. There are no rules and regulations to ruin in the first place.
2. By that proviso, every animal is sacred. The only ones who aren't are us suckers behind the wheel who actually want to get from A to B.

 

[Itachi]

So why are cows allowed to stop traffic, why not give them a danda to move them from the road? It's not the cow thats the issue where revenge is required but the people who see it's life as more valuable than a humans.

Where have you seen cows are allowed to stop the traffic? Traffic police Wil give the danda to shoo away if that happens (common case). The road side scenario isn't that different between India, Pakistan or Bangladesh or Philippines.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Where have you seen cows are allowed to stop the traffic? Traffic police Wil give the danda to shoo away if that happens (common case). The road side scenario isn't that different between India, Pakistan or Bangladesh or Philippines.

Police in India have been applying temporary stickers which glow in the dark to cows' horns in an attempt to cut down on road accidents.

The bizarre measures are the latest effort to combat the growing problem of motorists crashing into the animals as they cross roads at night.

Cows are considered sacred in India and will often be found wandering into the middle of busy roads.

Asa result they become a severe traffic hazard, with severe or even fatal crashes occurring as they mill freely through the countryside.

Traffic police in one district of Madhya Pradesh state have taken to sticking orange radium reflective bands on the horns of 300 cows and bulls to help drivers spot them, reports AFP.

"Many drivers injured themselves or killed the cattle after running over them at night," Kailash Chauhan, traffic police inspector for Balaghat district said.

"There was an urgent need to prevent such accidents."

The temporary measures proved so successful that permanent radium paint is being bought to cover cows' horns, and farmers are being asked to pitch in and mark their own cattle.

More than 550 people were killed in India in accidents involving stray animals, according to road ministry figures on 2015.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/cows-getting-glow-dark-paint-8704130

 

[Itachi]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/cows-getting-glow-dark-paint-8704130

View attachment 86949

It's a safety procedure as it seems. In my state, when flood happens, animals die on road accidents as speeding cars can't stop. I wish this could be implemented for them as well. Could have saved wild animals.

When you see an animal lying in the street dead with blood and all the intestines out, even the people made of stones will look back. I am not an animal activist, but still..... This I think has the potential to save many lives.

 

[ILcricket]

Dont you have cows walking in public spaces? Some stop traffic?

So a cow can roam where it likes even if it causes inconvieniece but a human cant pray in an empty space?

Are you equating praying in public space with a animal wandering ?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Are you equating praying in public space with a animal wandering ?

I was addressing the point of 'inconvenience'. Which of the two cause(d) the most inconvenience?

 

[gazza619]

Could the muslims of the area not accumulate funds and rent a place to use as a mosque?

 

[cricketjoshila]

Could the muslims of the area not accumulate funds and rent a place to use as a mosque?

That would be too sensible, isnt it?

Problem is that for last 40 years, muslims have been allowed to take over public places, use loud speakers, carry out activities againist the law,by the political parties to get their votes.

So its not their fault that suddenly they find these issues. If these things would have been handled as per law, muslims would have bought land and constructed mosques for their prayers long back.

 

[PakLFC]

Here is a sensible and intelligent man Indian speaking on the Modi government.