BJP govt bans Muslims from praying at historic Muzaffarnagar jail mosque in UP
Lucknow: The BJP government has imposed a controversial ban on Muslims entering a historic mosque within the Muzaffarnagar District Jail complex in Uttar Pradesh.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the mosque, established in 1838 during British rule, has been a place of worship for local Muslims for over a century. However, recent directives from the jail administration have barred Muslims from accessing the mosque, sparking significant outrage within the community.
The mosque, located alongside a temple within the prison premises, had been used by local Muslims for their daily prayers without issue until this week. Mohammad Rafi, a local resident, described his experience with the new restrictions, stating, “I was stopped by prison guards who informed me that the jailer had ordered a complete ban on entry for prayers. My attempt to speak with the jailer was met with hostility and threats.”
Many in the Muslim community view this ban as an unjust disruption of their religious practices. One resident, speaking anonymously, lamented, “Our family has prayed here for generations. To suddenly be barred from our place of worship feels like a profound injustice.”
This latest controversy follows a similar incident in Uttar Pradesh where a ticket collector reportedly prevented Muslims from praying on a train, intensifying concerns among local leaders about policies perceived as discriminatory against Muslims.
The Muslim community has called on authorities to reconsider the ban and allow them to resume their religious practices in the mosque, emphasizing the deep significance of this place in their cultural and spiritual lives.
