'Companies would not be held liable': Officials clarify after namaz order backlash in India

NEW DELHI: Indian social media users were left divided after police in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, issued a notice to multinational companies stating that they would face action if staff members offered 'namaz' or prayers in community parks. The notice was specific to Sector-58 in Noida. It added that companies would be held liable for employee violations.

According to a report by Indian broadcast channel NDTV, companies have sought a meeting with senior police officers for clarification and also plan to approach the court against the order.

The report stated that after a few Hindu groups complaint to Noida Police, claiming that Muslims praying in the open "disrupts harmony", the notice was issued to at least 12 multinational companies.

The notice being shared on social media states that Muslim employees of the company in that sector are not allowed to offer Friday prayers in the park.

After backlash on the decision, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Pal said that the notice did not aim to target a particular religion.

"Some people had sought permission to offer prayers in a park in Sector-58, but they were not allowed by the city magistrate. And still a lot of people gathered there. The notice aims to discourage all sorts of religious gatherings," Pal was quoted as saying by NDTV.

However, this new rule goes against the verdict made in the Ismail Faruqqi case of 1994.

According to a report by newspaper The Indian Express, in 1994, "Dr Ismail Faruqui had filed a petition challenging the validity of the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act, 1993, by which the Centre had acquired 67.703 acres of land in and around the Babri Masjid."

In the case, a Supreme Court bench held that a mosque was not an "essential part of the practice of the religion of Islam" and that namaz could be offered anywhere..."

The case was revisited in September 2018 and the court upheld the earlier verdict.

Some social media users agreed with Noida Police's decision, while others accused the police of limiting the religious freedom of Muslims. People used #NamazControversy to discuss the issue.

Tweep @touche_always wrote: "India: Mosques not essential to namaz, can pray anywhere in Islam. Also, India: If you employ Muslims praying in parks, face action. Literally asking Muslims either to give up on their faith or give up on their livelihoods. Systematic oppression in the name of secularism."

@ashokepandit posted: "Why is the media communalising the @myogiadityanath's order by saying that it's only the #Namaz which is not allowed in public places, where as the order is for all religions? #NamazControversy"

The former Chancellor of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University @zafarsareshwala said: "Praying #Namaz is the most peaceful act and has been happening for years in this particular place without anybody ever complaining but here #NoidaPoliceNotice has problem with it! When you can't control law and order put blame on the poor office goers!"

Tweep @indian_agnostic said: "Public places are for everybody, every group and religion. Organisations have equal rights on it to conduct gatherings. Muslims can be allowed to pray or meet on a daily or weekly permission basis ... #Namaz in parks, however, is a debatable subject. I think an individual should have the right to offer prayers sittings quietly in a park. If it's a group activity then it is tricky ..."

Senior Editor at Indian website The Wire, Arfa Khanum Sherwani tweeted: "Court says 'Masjid is not an essential part of Islam', which means we can do away with Masjids. Noida police says 'Namaz will not be allowed anywhere in open' (except Masjids). Once and for all, can Courts and police decide if Indian Muslims are entitled to any religious freedom at all?"

Her tweet received more than three thousand likes.

@StilledBrain posted: "Any religious activity that disturbs the proper functioning of a public place should ruthlessly be stopped. Especially in India, maybe then people might raise above religion."

However, In at a press conference on Tuesday, District Magistrate Brajesh Narain Singh said "Companies and business houses are not liable for employees' religious beliefs and prayers. The district administration will talk to the companies and clear their doubts."