Dehradun: Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday declared that the state would not permit namaz on roads, emphasizing that prayers must be conducted only at designated locations. His statement comes days after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath asserted that religious practices should be confined to places of worship and not spill onto streets.
Dhami's Clarification on Namaz
Dhami said, “Recently, a senior Congress leader had said that offering namaz on roads should be allowed. Namaz should be offered, but in mosques, Idgahs and homes.” He stressed that prayers should be offered at designated places and this system should not be disrupted. “No one has the right to disrupt it. Our system says that we should follow the law,” added Dhami.
Context of Char Dham Yatra
Referring to the ongoing Char Dham yatra, Dhami noted that people from across the country are visiting Uttarakhand for the pilgrimage. “We will not allow streets to become a medium for religious demonstrations or obstructions. We have decided that any Sanatani or pilgrim coming to Uttarakhand should not face any problem,” he said.
Rejection of Vote-Bank Politics
On allegations of politicisation of the issue, Dhami remarked that some people view every issue through the lens of vote-bank politics. “People should rise above vote-bank politics. In Devbhoomi, some people have been engaging in appeasement, but we will not do so. We will not allow anyone to disrupt peace, culture and discipline,” he concluded.
About the Author: Kautilya Singh, a Senior Assistant Editor in TOI with an inclination towards political reporting, covers the chief minister's office, Congress, and Tourism.
