UP police book around 2,000 Muslims for Eid namaz on roads

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh police booked around 2,000 Muslims in Kanpur on performing namaz on the road outside Eidgahs there on Eid al-Fitr day last week, PTI reported. Police alleged that those who performed the prayer there did obtain permission for the same.

Three separate FIRs were registered by three police stations of Bajaria, Babu Purwa, and Jajmau on April 6, Wednesday. According to PTI, police are examining video footage captured by them and proceeding on the basis of the same.

PTI reports that the charges added to the book include sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharging duties), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 283 (danger in a public way), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), and 353 (criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), of the Indian Penal Code.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Mohammad Suleman said that the men were targeted because of their religion, The Wire reported. He disputed the police’s claim that many people prayed outside Eidgah but added that only some did so because of lack of space at the spot.

Times of India reported that there were 200 Muslims booked in FIRs in Jajamau, 50 were charged at Babupurwa, and 1,000 to 1,500 unknown were booked at Bajaria. In the last one, some of the Eidgagh committee members were also booked, and a complaint was lodged by Senior Sub Inspector (SSI) Omveer Singh.