New Delhi, May 20 (H.S.): Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has taken a strong stand on the issue of offering namaz on public roads, describing it as a matter related to public order and law enforcement. The organisation stated that the practice is “not an act of worship but a display of strength” and urged state governments to impose strict restrictions on it.
VHP Central Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain said on Wednesday that “offering namaz on roads is not prayer but disorder.” He alleged that the practice is not only against the Constitution but is also “against humanity and Islam.” Referring to judicial observations, he claimed that seven High Courts have already issued directions against offering prayers on roads and added that the Supreme Court of India has also indicated a similar position. According to him, insisting on offering namaz on public roads amounts to disregard for judicial authority.
He further stated that the issue cannot be dismissed as merely “a five-minute matter.” Jain claimed that trains at major railway stations in Delhi used to face prolonged disruptions when people allegedly sat on railway tracks to offer prayers. He also referred to traffic congestion on the Jaipur Highway passing through Gurugram, alleging that traffic jams lasting several hours had caused severe inconvenience to commuters, schoolchildren and ambulance services.
Dr. Jain asserted that several Hadiths also discourage offering prayers on roads and said that many Muslim-majority countries have imposed restrictions on such practices. He argued that no civilised society can permit public roads to be blocked for religious activities.
Questioning the justification often given regarding lack of space in mosques, he alleged that during earlier incidents in Gurugram, prayer mats and groups of people were brought from distant areas despite several mosques along the route remaining vacant.
He claimed that these developments indicated that the objective was not merely religious observance but a demonstration of numerical strength intended to “intimidate the administration and Hindu society.”
The VHP leader appealed to all state governments to strictly prohibit offering namaz on roads and ensure compliance with judicial directives and constitutional norms. He also urged religious clerics and Islamic scholars to encourage members of the Muslim community to follow the law instead of, as he alleged, “pushing them towards another path of extremism.”
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
