Asaduddin Owaisi assaults UP govt over 'namaz' order

Hyderabad, Dec 26 AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday hit out at the Uttar Pradesh Government over a Noida police order against offering of Friday prayers at a local park, saying it was "showering petals on Kanwariyas" (devotees of Lord Shiva) but was issuing notice to Muslim faithful who need to offer prayers out in the public places.

The police in Noida had recently sent notices to 23 private firms located under its jurisdiction, requesting that they prevent Muslim workers from offering Friday 'namaz' (supplications) at a nearby park. The region organization had Tuesday said "unapproved" religious social events would not be permitted at public places.

Slamming the order, Owaisi tweeted, "UP cops actually showered petals for Kanwariyas, yet namaz once seven days can mean disrupting peace & harmony,"

"This is telling Muslims: aap kuch bhi karlo, ghalti to aapki hi hogi (No issue what you do, you will be in the wrong," the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader said.

"Also, by law, how can one hold a MNC at risk for what their representatives do in individual limit?" the Hyderabad MP addressed.

Citing a Supreme Court order of 2009, Noida officials said there was a clear ban on unauthorised use of public places for religious activities by all communities.