Mosques ignore Delhi Police advice on stir, leave it to worshippers
Mosques in Delhi chose not to follow police advice to discourage worshippers from attending protests against the Chief Election Commissioner. Imams maintained silence on the issue, leaving the decision to participate entirely to the individual worshippers.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the tension between state security requests and the autonomy of religious institutions in the context of political protests.
Delhi mosques on Saturday ignored the police’s request to ask worshippers to refrain from attending the protests seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. No imam delivered a special sermon on the subject in the mosques in Old Delhi, Okhla in south-east Delhi and north-east Delhi. Almost all imams maintained silence on the issue, leaving the worshippers to decide for themselves. No circular was issued either.
This was contrary to the note of caution struck by Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chairman, All India Imam Association, who had asked the community members to refrain from participating in the agitation. “Certain forces are working to disrupt peace in the country. It is best to stay away from the protests,” he said, advising the imams in other mosques to ask the youngsters to stay away from the protests. His words went unheeded.
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