Chandigarh,
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said the state was closely monitoring the law and order situation in Gurugram and adjoining areas, where there “has been a spurt in offering of namaz in public places”.

He was talking to mediapersons before leaving on a tour of Israel and UK. The CM said as long as there was no opposition, the activity could be overlooked, but generally namaz should be offered in mosques and idgahs and not public places.

Asked about the strategy to ensure law and order, he replied: “Maintaining law and order is our duty, and we will do it. We are ensuring that harmony is maintained and there is no tension.”

Claiming that instances of namaz being offered at public places had been on the rise, Khattar said: “We will try to convince the Muslims to offer prayers only at designated places. It’s alright if nobody objects. But if there are objections, we have to be careful… We are counselling them to offer namaz at designated, not public places.”

Organisations under the banner of ‘Hindu Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti’ have been trying to disrupt Friday prayers in Gurugram for the last two weeks, arguing that Muslims do not have the permission to offer prayers on roadsides, in parks and vacant land.