No nod from Bombay HC for mass gatherings in mosques during Ramadan
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused permission to a city-based belief to permit individuals to supply Namaz at its mosque in south Mumbai during the Ramadan interval, saying the COVID-19 scenario was “serious and critical” and the security of residents was extra vital.
A trip bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and V G Bisht famous that the Maharashtra authorities discovered it expedient to impose restrictions to break the chain of transmission of the coronavirus.
“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 docket stated. It was listening to a petition filed by the Jama Masjid Mosque Trust, in search of permission to permit individuals from the Muslim group to supply the prayers 5 instances a day at its mosque in south Mumbai.
The petitioner stated “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”, it stated.
Additional Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan, showing for the Maharashtra authorities, opposed the plea and stated the scenario in Mumbai and Maharashtra is alarming. “We cannot make an exception to any religion, especially in this 15-day period. We cannot take a risk at this stage and all citizens should cooperate,” Chavan stated.
She stated the federal government was not prohibiting any particular person from practising his/her faith, however they need to do it in their properties. The court docket whereas dismissing the plea stated it can’t contemplate the petitioner’s request in view of the COVID-19 scenario which is “serious and critical in nature”.
“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 stated.
The authorities’s order of restrictions is in the general public curiosity and for the security of all residents of Maharashtra, it stated. The bench famous that in the previous, a number of courts throughout the nation refused permission to many different non secular congregations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reeling below an unprecedented COVID-19 wave, the Maharashtra authorities on Tuesday introduced extreme restrictions on public motion over the subsequent 15 days throughout the state.
As a part of the curbs, all non secular locations and malls shall stay shut. The restrictions, which exclude important providers, will come into impact from 8 pm on Wednesday and stay in drive until 7 am on May 1.
“Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), prohibiting assembly of five or more people at one spot, will be in force during this period”, Chief Minister Uddhav
Thackeray stated on Tuesday.
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