In an unprecedented transfer, the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman has issued circulars saying all sermons given in the course of the Islamic Friday prayers can be vetted upfront to stop any political speeches being made.
In a message circulated by way of WhatsApp teams, Salim Raj, who took over as chairman of the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board final month, has stated there needs to be no political speeches at mosques and that every one speeches should strictly persist with Islamic teachings.
The waqf board is a physique that manages, protects, and regulates waqf properties in India. In accordance with sources, the choice got here after the board was knowledgeable that the board had experiences of “anti-government” speeches in some mosques within the BJP-ruled state
Confirming the event, Salim Raj informed The Indian Specific {that a} non secular place “shouldn’t be was a political adda (place)”.
“It’s unlucky that the place is used to situation fatwas (rulings) and determine who to vote and whom to not vote… They have to discuss Islam, what it says and the message of Allah. Politics have to be left for politicians,” he stated.
Raj, who additionally heads the BJP’s minority cell in Chhattisgarh, stated that the board will situation letters with the brand new directives to the three,800-odd mosques within the state. “The order can be efficient this Friday,” he stated.
The directive has drawn criticism from Opposition events such because the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Congress. In his submit on X Saturday, the AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi known as the choice unconstitutional.
“The waqf board of the BJP authorities of Chhattisgarh desires that earlier than giving the Jummah (Friday) sermon, the khatib (an individual who delivers a sermon throughout Friday prayers or Eid prayers) ought to get his sermon checked by the waqf board and mustn’t give the sermon with out the permission of the board,” the Hyderabad MP stated. Now BJP individuals will inform us what’s faith? Do I’ve to take permission from them to observe my faith? The Waqf Board has no such authorized energy, and even when it had, it could have been in opposition to Article 25 of the Structure.”
The Congress, in the meantime, known as it an assault on free speech and the liberty to practise one’s faith.
“The waqf board has the authority to evaluate its properties however doesn’t have the facility to present directions on what a Maulana or Mutawalli can say of their speeches inside mosques. That is unconstitutional and the Congress occasion condemns this,” Congress spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla informed The Indian Specific.
However the BJP claimed it wished to cease mosques “from being misused for political ends”.
“Now we have seen (it) in Kashmir, the place they saved issuing fatwas and it led to Kashmiri Pandits dealing with violence and fleeing the place. Right here too, if any controversial feedback are made in opposition to the nation or state or anti-national components attempt to take part in such issues, the federal government will act on them. An eye fixed is being saved on all mosques so they don’t seem to be misused,” Tauqir Raza, BJP spokesperson for Chhattisgarh, stated.
