Offering Namaz in open spaces will not be tolerated: Haryana CM Khattar

New Delhi : Muslims have been asked not to offer Friday prayers in open areas in Gurugram, Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar said, withdrawing an earlier agreement - reached after clashes with members of the Hindu community in 2018 - that allowed namaz at designated places in the city.

Haryana CM’s comment come amid reports of right-wing Hindu groups repeatedly harassing and intimidating Muslims looking to pray at agreed sites.

He said that Gurugram's authorities are speaking to the concerned authorities and would come up with an "amicable solution" that doesn't encroach on anyone's rights.

Till then people must offer prayers either at their residence or the places of worship.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Khattar said, "I have spoken to the police and this issue must be resolved. We don't have problems with anyone praying at places of worship. Those places have been built for this purpose."

"But these should not be done in the open. We won't tolerate the custom of offering namaz in the open," the Chief Minister maintained.

In October tensions flared as groups of people - locals claimed were affiliated to right-wing organisations - disrupted prayers in Sector 12-A. Visuals from the area showed heavy police presence as Muslims prayed; 30 protesters were detained over the incident.