Controversy Erupts Over Street Namaz in Mangaluru
By : Gururaj A Paniyadi
Update: 2024-05-28 17:03 GMT
MANGALURU: A recent incident of Namaz being offered on a street in Mangaluru has sparked controversy in the coastal region. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) condemned the act and threatened to retaliate by offering Hanuman Chalisa on the road if such incidents recur. Meanwhile, Muslim groups criticized the Hindu outfits for inflaming the issue.
A video showing individuals performing Namaz on a street in the Kankanady area of Mangaluru City began circulating on social media on Monday. By Tuesday, the VHP and BJP had publicly condemned the act. It is reported that the Namaz was offered on May 24. Police have registered a case in connection with the incident.
“A case is registered in Mangaluru East Police Station under IPC Section 341 (wrongful restraint), 283 (Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation), 143 (unlawful assembly) read with 149 (Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) against unidentified people who created hurdles for pedestrians and obstructed the free flow of vehicles,” stated a press statement from the Police Commissioner.
The VHP condemned the act of performing Namaz on the road, describing it as a tactic to create unrest. “We demand the district administration to take immediate action,” said Sharan Pumpwell, VHP (Dakshina Pranth) joint secretary. He warned that if such actions recur, they would respond by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa en masse.
Dakshina Kannada MP and former BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel also opposed the act, blaming the Congress government for fostering disregard for laws and policies. “This situation is a reflection of the Congress government's autocratic rule in the state,” Kateel posted on X.
Meanwhile, SDPI district president Anwar Sadat Bajathur condemned the VHP’s response. He accused the VHP of using the incident to incite religious conflict. "It is unsurprising that communal elements like Sharan Pumpwell have used a five-minute Namaz on a side street for religious frictions, especially when many major roads in Mangaluru are closed for festivals," he stated.
DK District Muslim Okkuta president and former Mangaluru Mayor K. Ashraf criticized Sharan Pumpwell for inflating the issue. "Sharan Pumpwell is drawing attention by sensationalizing this matter. True devotion has moral support, but creating tension is unacceptable. Occasionally, if any community performs their prayers, it should not be made an issue. Sharan should not exploit this situation," he added.