No namaz on roads, rooftops on Alvida Jummah, Eid: Sambhal police

BAREILLY: Prayers for Eid-ul-Fitr and Alvida Jummah will be held only inside mosques and eidgah, not on streets or rooftops, the Sambhal police ordered on Wednesday.
The decision was taken at a peace committee meeting at the Sambhal police station, led by additional SP Shrish Chandra, SDM Dr Vandana Mishra, and Circle officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary. Mishra said permission for loudspeakers during the festivals has not been granted.
Chandra said, "A peace committee meeting was held with people from all religions and communities where it was communicated that prayers will be conducted inside mosques and eidgah only. Issues related to electricity and water were also addressed and will be resolved in time." He added that the arrangements for the zone remain in place and adequate police force will be deployed on the festivals.
The SDM also said those who raised concerns related to electricity and water issued during the meeting have been directed to the relevant departments.
CO Anuj Chaudhary, who had sparked controversy with his remark that Holi is a festival that comes once a year whereas Friday namaz takes place 52 times a year, also defended his statement.
He questioned, "If my statement was so wrong, they should have gone to the high court or Supreme Court. Why didn't they get me punished?" He added that he "spoke equally for both Hindu and Muslim communities". "If you want to offer seviyan on Eid, then you will also have to eat gujiya," said Chaudhary.
Notably, the Alvida Jumma falls on March 28 and Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on March 31, while Navratri will be observed from March 30 to April 7.