Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

In Indian cities, Muslim prayers and meaty snacks squeezed out

In Indian cities, Muslim prayers and meaty snacks squeezed out

Friday afternoons are a time for communal prayer for Muslims in the northern Indian city of Gurugram, who over the years had negotiated with local authorities to pray in parks and empty plots of land as they outgrew their mosques.

But recent protests by Hindu groups, sometimes preventing prayers as banner-carrying members shouted slogans, have disrupted the arrangement - prompting city officials to withdraw permission for some of the sites used by Muslim worshippers.


The protests, and orders to remove street vendors selling meat-based snacks in several cities in Gujarat state, reflect a broader fight for shared spaces as religious minorities are increasingly denied equal access, urban experts said.

India's religious divisions have deepened under the Hindu nationalist government of prime minister Narendra Modi, with civil society groups accusing authorities in several states of favouring Hindu groups over minority communities.

"Space is limited, so there is always a question of how it can be made available for different activities, and different groups," said Prerna Mehta, an associate director of urban development at World Resources Institute India, a think-tank.

"But there is a certain hierarchy in how public spaces are distributed and accessed in the city: often, poorer sections and minority communities have fewer spaces and more limited access," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Muslims account for about 14 per cent of India's population of 1.3 billion, with Hindus making up about 80 per cent.

Across the country, public spaces are often taken over by informal settlers, street vendors, for children's games, festival celebrations, wedding processions and political rallies.

In Gurugram, near the Indian capital Delhi, designated public areas for namaz, the Persian word for prayer, have halved to about 20 as Hindu groups claimed the spaces for games and other activities, saying religion should not be practised there.

"The Friday prayer takes hardly 30 minutes, and it is the only time - apart from festivals - when we need a large space because there aren't enough mosques to hold us," said Shehzad Khan, chairman of Muslim Ekta Manch, a charity group.

"Public spaces are for everyone, and we have been praying like this for more than a decade without inconveniencing anyone. If religious activities are not allowed, then authorities should not allow any Hindu festivities, either," he said.

A senior official in Gurugram said authorities were not being partial to Hindu groups.

"Muslim prayers are still being offered in many places - there have been protests in only two or three places," said Yash Garg, deputy commissioner of Gurugram district.

"The community and the administration are committed to finding a peaceful resolution, and we are looking at all possible options," he said, without giving further details.

UNDER PRESSURE

Across Asia, public spaces have become battlegrounds pitting informal settlers, street vendors and other marginalised communities against elite residents and authorities who say they are removing vendors and settlements to beautify the city.

In Gujarat, Modi's home state, authorities in at least four cities have ordered the removal of street vendors selling non-vegetarian food.

Some officials have said the food stalls offended Hindus, but state chief minister Bhupendra Patel said last month the orders were not discriminatory, aiming instead to unclutter crowded streets and boost food hygiene standards.

"People are free to eat whatever they want. But the food being sold at stalls should not be harmful, and the stalls should not obstruct traffic flow," he told reporters.

Across the country, human rights activists have reported a rise in mob lynchings and hate crimes against Muslims and low-caste Dalits during Modi's tenure - a charge the government has denied.

Events marking Hindu festivals have become more belligerent, too, the campaigners say.

Such incidents reflect "a clear disregard to any restraint on religious manifestations in public spaces when it comes to Hindus", said Neha Dabhade, a deputy director at the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism.

"Everyone should have equal access to public spaces in a way that does not cause inconvenience, but increasingly there is a competitive contestation that is communal in nature, and a feeling that Muslims should not be in public spaces," she said.

In reducing the number of designated spaces for namaz, Muslims' citizenship rights and their freedom to worship are being curbed, she said.

"It is part of a larger eco-system of marginalising minorities in the country," she added.

These actions come even as federal and city officials have pledged to increase the amount of public space and make communal areas more accessible to improve residents' health and quality of life.

Prolonged lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic have highlighted the importance of outdoor public space in cities around the world.

In Gurugram, some Hindu residents have offered their homes and shops for namaz, and several Sikh groups have said Muslims can also pray in the gurduwara, the Sikh place of worship.

"This gives us hope," said Khan, adding that they still hoped to resolve the matter amicably.

"The act of praying in the open should not be one that causes anxiety and concern. These spaces are for everyone - whether for prayer or a game of cricket, and should remain that way."

More For You

26 years of 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam': 5 highlights that made the Bhansali film iconic
KK’s Tadap Tadap turns 26 as Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam completes 26 iconic years
Amazon

26 years of 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam': 5 highlights that made the Bhansali film iconic

It’s been 26 years since Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam hit the big screen, but Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s rich, emotional tale of love and longing still lingers in the hearts of movie lovers. Starring Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Ajay Devgn, this film was a cultural moment. Here are five things you may not know about this now-iconic musical drama.

1. KK’s Bollywood debut began with heartbreak

Before he became one of the most beloved voices of the 2000s, singer KK got his big Bollywood break with the heart-wrenching song Tadap Tadap. The track, composed by Ismail Darbar and written by Mehboob, captured the raw ache of lost love, and KK’s soul-stirring vocals made it unforgettable. Few know that Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was his first major entry into Hindi cinema, thanks to Bhansali's knack for spotting rare talent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voice-Activated Casino Logins: Gimmick or Game-Changer?

Voice-Activated Casino Logins: Gimmick or Game-Changer?

The gambling industry has always been quick to embrace new technology, from the first slot machines to today's live dealer streams. Now, voice-activated casino logins are making waves across the sector. Platforms like Fortunica are exploring how voice recognition might revolutionise player authentication, but the question remains: is this innovation genuinely transformative or simply the latest tech trend?

Voice technology has become increasingly sophisticated, with smart speakers and voice assistants now commonplace in millions of homes. The gambling industry's interest in this technology stems from its potential to streamline user experience while enhancing security measures.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK Traveller Dies from Rabies After Dog Exposure in Morocco

Rabies causes a serious infection of the brain and nervous system in humans

iStock

UK woman dies from rabies after Morocco dog exposure

A woman from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has died after contracting rabies following contact with a stray dog while on holiday in Morocco, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

The agency stated that the woman became infected during her trip to the North African country. There is no documented evidence of rabies spreading between humans, so the wider public is not considered at risk.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave health risks

Several hidden threats linked to heat waves often go unnoticed

iStock

7 hidden heatwave health risks you may overlook

As temperatures across the UK continue to rise, so too do the health risks associated with extreme heat. While sunburn and dehydration are well-known dangers, several hidden threats linked to heat waves often go unnoticed. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of hot spells, some forecasts suggesting 40 °C days could become a regular feature in the next 12 years, it’s essential to understand these lesser-known risks and how to protect yourself.

1. Skin reactions triggered by common medications

Certain widely-used medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight, making people more prone to rashes, blistering, and sunburn—even on cloudy days. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, some antibiotics such as doxycycline, statins, antidepressants, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Keep ReadingShow less
Families seek answers as Air India crash probe begins

Mourners at the funeral of BJP leader Vijay Rupani, who was among the victims of the Air India crash, in Ahmedabad

Families seek answers as Air India crash probe begins

AROUND 200 passengers on the Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick have been identified, authorities in the Indian state of Gujarat said, as grieving families held the last rites of their loved ones following the crash last Thursday (12).

Hundreds of lives were changed in an instant when the London-bound plane slammed into a residential area of Ahmedabad, killing 241 people on board and at least 38 on the ground.

Keep ReadingShow less