The Allahabad High Court has rejected a decision by the Uttar Pradesh administration to restrict the number of people offering Namaz during Ramadan at a mosque in Sambhal district. The court stated that maintaining law and order remains the responsibility of the State and cannot serve as a reason to limit religious worship.
The order came from a bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddharth Nandan during a hearing related to restrictions placed on congregational prayers. Authorities had allowed only 20 persons to offer Namaz at the site, citing concerns about possible law and order problems during Ramadan.
The bench rejected the justification presented by the State counsel,saying that ensuring public order falls within the duty of the administration.
The court stated that if SP and District Collector believe they cannot maintain order during religious gatherings, they should consider resigning from their positions or seek transfer outside the district.
Meanwhile, a division bench of the Allahabad High Court comprising Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Vivek Sarandirected Budaun district authorities not to interfere with Namaz offered inside a mosque located on private property. The court stated that religious prayers held on private premises do not violate any law and must remain free from administrative obstruction.
The directive came in an order issued on Feb. 25. The order became public recently.