Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has triggered anger after suggesting Muslims should “offer namaz in shifts” and defending a crackdown on roadside prayers during large congregations.
According to Global Mirror, speaking at a public event, Adityanath said public spaces were “secular” and not for prayer mats, claiming roads were meant for movement and could not be blocked. He declared that roadside namaz had “effectively ended” in UP since 2018 due to strict policing.
In a threatening tone, he added, “You want to offer namaz, you can read it during your shift. We want you to agree with love; if you don’t agree, we’ll adopt another method.”
According to Global Mirror, speaking at a public event, Adityanath said public spaces were “secular” and not for prayer mats, claiming roads were meant for movement and could not be blocked. He declared that roadside namaz had “effectively ended” in UP since 2018 due to strict policing.
In a threatening tone, he added, “You want to offer namaz, you can read it during your shift. We want you to agree with love; if you don’t agree, we’ll adopt another method.”