Exclusive: Was Namaz Really Held At Hanumangarhi During SP Rule? Brijlal Alleges, Ex-IPS Denies

Former UP DGP Brijlal accused the Samajwadi Party of appeasement politics, alleging an attempt to organise namaz at an Ayodhya temple during its rule. Former IPS officer VN Rai denied the claims.

Former UP DGP Brijlal accused the Samajwadi Party of appeasement politics, alleging an attempt to organise namaz at an Ayodhya temple during its rule.

Source : ABP Live

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Ex-DGP Brijlal criticized Samajwadi Party for appeasement politics.
• He alleged namaz organizing attempts at an Ayodhya temple.

Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Brijlal launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that prayers were offered on the steps of Hanumangarhi during the SP government in Ayodhya, accusing the party of pursuing "appeasement politics."

Brijlal Alleges Attempt Made To Organise Namaz At Ayodhya Temple

Recalling an incident from his tenure in the police force, Brijlal alleged that during the Samajwadi Party government, efforts were made to organise namaz at a temple in Ayodhya.

According to Brijlal, then Inspector General (Law and Order) VN Rai, a 1975-batch IPS officer, had attempted to facilitate namaz at the site. However, he claimed that Rajeev Sabharwal, a 1993-batch IPS officer who was serving as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) at the time and is currently Director General (Training), informed him about the development, following which the attempt was prevented.

'Namaz Held At Mahant's Residence'

Brijlal further alleged that namaz and an iftar gathering were later held at the Mahant's residence. He also claimed that when prayer mats were laid on the steps outside the residence for namaz, the police removed them.

He said government residences routinely hosted iftar gatherings during that period and alleged that the then government encouraged such activities as part of its appeasement politics.

IPS officer VN Rai Rejects Brijlal's claim

Meanwhile, former IPS officer VN Rai, whose name was mentioned by Brijlal, rejected the allegations while speaking to ABP News, calling Brijlal's allegations as "laughable" while responding to claims that an attempt was made to organise namaz at a temple in Ayodhya during the Samajwadi Party government.

Reacting to Brijlal's remarks, Rai said the incident being referred to was likely from around 2004. He questioned the claim that then SSP Rajeev Sabharwal could have overruled his instructions, pointing out that he was the senior officer at the time.

"I was senior to Rajeev Sabharwal. How could he refuse or override my orders?" Rai said.

Rejecting the allegation that he had tried to facilitate namaz at the temple, Rai said such a claim was baseless.

"Can anyone simply organise namaz like that?" he asked.

Rai also defended the practice of hosting iftar gatherings at government residences, saying such events were held then and continue even today.

"Roza iftar was organised at government residences then, and it still happens today. What is wrong with that?" he said.