‘An ambulance might want to pass through’: Uttarakhand Madrasa Board chief backs Yogi’s stand against namaz on roads

Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Chairman Mufti Shamoon Qasmi on Tuesday backed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks against offering namaz on public roads, saying roads are meant for public movement and emergency access, and should not be blocked for religious activities.

The remarks come amid a renewed political and social debate over the use of public spaces for religious gatherings after CM Yogi said on Monday that roads should remain free for commuters and that prayers involving large crowds must be organised at designated places. He had also suggested conducting prayers in shifts wherever necessary to avoid congestion and inconvenience to the public.

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Speaking to IANS, Qasmi said he agreed with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s observations and stressed that maintaining public discipline was important for every community.

“What CM Yogi Adityanath has said is something I understand because he is a saint. A saint not only primarily knows his own religion, but also has knowledge of other religions as well. I support CM Yogi’s statement that namaz should not be offered on roads,” he said.

Qasmi argued that blocking roads for prayers could create problems for commuters and emergency services, particularly ambulances and patients trying to reach hospitals.

“People use roads to commute. Someone might be ill and would want to go to the hospital, or an ambulance might want to pass through. And in such a situation, if people offer namaz on roads, it is not the right thing to do,” he said.

He also endorsed the suggestion of conducting prayers in batches where crowds become difficult to manage.

“That is why I support CM Yogi’s remarks. He has said a very nice thing that if there are many people, namaz can be conducted in shifts,” Qasmi added.

Qasmi rejects comparison with religious processions

The Madrasa Board chairman also dismissed comparisons between offering namaz on roads and Hindu religious processions such as Rath Yatras, saying the two should not be treated similarly.

“People try to compare these things with the Rath Yatras and other processions. This is not right. I adopt my religion as a whole and not in a hypocritical way,” he said.

Taking a swipe at self-styled Muslim representatives, Qasmi said many of them lacked a proper understanding of Islam and public responsibility.

“These people who claim to be representatives of the Muslim community, if they gain true knowledge of Islam, they will thank CM Yogi for this announcement,” he said.

He further claimed that such practices are discouraged in Uttarakhand and that people are regularly educated against offering prayers on roads.

“In Uttarakhand, you will never see people reading namaz on roads, and we also educate people about how this is not the right thing to do,” he added.