Omar Abdullah says J&K didn’t merge with this India
Omar Abdullah says J&K didn’t merge with this India
Takes an exception to Haryana CM’s aversion to “Namaz” in open
New Delhi, Dec. 12 (Delhi Crown): Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Sunday took a strong exception to Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s recent remark opposing “Namaz” in the open, saying his state didn’t merge with “this India”.
A couple of days ago Khattar had said in Gurugram that that the practice of offering “Namaz” in the open will “not be tolerated”.
Offering of “Namaz” has been a controversial issue in Gurugram over the past few days, even as several Hindu outfits have been objecting to Friday prayers being offered in open spaces in the millennium city.
Amidst the controversy, the managing committee of a local Gurudwara had recently offered its premises to the Muslims to facilitate their weekly “Namaz”.
Khattar had also said the district administration’s prior decision to reserve some spots for holding prayers in open spaces has been withdrawn and the state government will now work out an amicable solution to the issue.
Responding to Khattar’s statement, Omar Abdullah said, “It would have been fine if this restriction was on every religion but policy of pick & choose shows a particular religion is on target. J&K didn’t merge with this India.”
Addressing media persons in Gurugram, the Haryana CM had said – “The practice of offering namaz here (Gurugram) in open spaces will not be tolerated… But we all will sit to find an amicable solution.”
“Everyone should get the facility (to offer prayers), but nobody should infringe on others’ rights. It will not be allowed,” Khattar had added.
According to media reports, over the past few months, members of some Hindu outfits had been gathering at various sites where the Muslims offer “Namaz” in open spaces.
Three years ago, the Gurugram administration had designated 37 sites in the city for Muslims to offer Friday “Namaz” after which there were protests by some Hindu groups.
