12 Muslim Men Detained and Fined in UP’s Bareilly for Offering Namaz Inside Private Home
Police say prayers were held without permission; incident sparks debate over policing of religious practices.
Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh: Police in Bareilly district detained and fined 12 Muslim men for allegedly offering namaz inside a private house without official permission. The action was taken after local authorities received information about prayers being conducted at a vacant house in Mohammedganj village.
According to police, the men were challaned under provisions related to breach of peace and were later produced before a magistrate, who granted them bail. Superintendent of Police (South) Anshika Verma said the police intervened after learning that the house was allegedly being used as a temporary madrasa.
“Conducting any new religious activity or gathering without permission is a violation of the law,” Verma said, adding that strict action would be taken if such activities were repeated.
The matter came to public attention after a video, purportedly showing Muslim men offering namaz inside the house, began circulating widely on social media. The video was shared by several Hindutva-linked accounts, often accompanied by derogatory and hateful comments targeting the Muslim community.
Police officials said a preliminary inquiry revealed that the house belongs to a man identified as Hanif and was being used temporarily for Friday prayers. They added that there was no evidence of permanent construction or the establishment of a formal religious institution at the site.
The incident has raised concerns and questions about the treatment of Muslim religious practices, especially since prayers inside private homes are common in many parts of the country due to the lack of nearby mosques or adequate prayer spaces.
