No Prayers At Mumbai Mosque During Ramadan As Bombay HC Denies Permission Citing Covid Curfew

The Juma Masjid Trust has sought permission to allow devotees to offer namaaz five times a day with 50 people at a time in the mosque in south Mumbai.

(Representative Image/Getty)

Mumbai: Bogged by the second wave of Coronavirus across the country, especially in Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday denied permission to allow people to offer Namaz in mosque of south Mumbai during Ramadan period. 

Refusing the permission, the court cited that the Covid-19 situation was "serious and critical" in the state and safety of citizens was more important. 

"The right to celebrate or follow a religious practice is important, but what is more paramount and of importance is public order and the safety of citizens," the court said.

The Juma Masjid Trust has sought permission to allow devotees to offer namaaz five times a day with 50 people at a time in the mosque in south Mumbai during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.

A vaccational court of the Division bench of Justice R D Dhanuka and V G Bisht was hearing the petition filed by trust in exercise of right of freedom to religion and sought opening of mosques for a month, which was restricted during sudden rise of Covid-19 cases across Maharashtra on April 13.

The development comes a day after Chief Minister Uddhav Thaceray on Tuesday announced a statewide curfew restricting movement of people from 8pm on April 14 to May 1. 

"The mosque is spread over an acre and around 7,000 people can assemble at a time. However, considering the COVID-19 situation, only 50 persons would be allowed at a time to offer prayers during the Ramadan period and all safety precautions would be followed," argued the petitioners.

"In our view, the restrictions imposed by the state government are due to the COVID-19 circumstances. Considering the prevailing situation and ground reality in Maharashtra, we cannot permit the petitioner to perform prayers at the mosque," the HC observed.

The court also stated that Maharashtra government's order of restrictions is in the public interest and for the safety of all residents of the state.

While refusing the plea, bench also pointed out that that the Bombay HC along with several other courts in India had denied permissions to many other religious congregations on the backdrop of Coronavirus pademic. 

(With inputs from PTI)