A brief tension broke out in Kuraoli, Mainpuri, over the venue for Eid namaz after a disagreement among locals. The situation was brought under control following timely intervention by the administration and community leaders, ensuring prayers were held peacefully at the idgah
Representational image. File pic
A brief spell of tension prevailed in Kuraoli town in Uttar Pradesh after a dispute among some people over the venue for Eid namaz. However, the situation was defused following an intervention by the administration, officials said on Monday.
As reported by news agency PTI, the disagreement in Mainpuri surfaced on March 21 when a section of people insisted on offering namaz at a chabutra in a nearby field across the road from the idgah, claiming that prayers had been held there in the past.
Amid the heated situation, people from the Muslim community maintained that the namaz should be offered inside the Idgah premises, as is the established practice.
The situation led to heated exchanges between some locals and the police, videos of which later surfaced on social media, adding to the tension, reported PTI.
Inspector Lalit Bhati and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Neeraj Kumar Dwivedi intervened and advised the gathering to adhere to the traditional practice of offering prayers inside the idgah. With the involvement of community elders and religious leaders, the matter was subsequently resolved. Following the intervention, both sides agreed to offer namaz at the idgah.
Officials speak
Inspector Bhati, while briefing the media about the issue, said that the prayers were eventually conducted in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere at the idgah, where they are held every year, as reported by PTI.
SDM Dwivedi said that some youths had initially wanted to offer prayers at the alternate site, but later agreed to shift to the idgah after counselling by the administration and senior members of the community.
Community leaders on conflict
Imam of Kuraoli Idgah, Asif Raja Aslam, said the dispute arose due to a "misunderstanding" and was resolved amicably with the help of the police and administration. He appealed to people to refrain from sharing or engaging with misleading posts on social media.
Sajjada Nashin of Main Idgah, Mainpuri, Abdul Rahman Kishti alias Bablu Mian, also said, “The timely intervention by officials and community leaders ensured that prayers were held peacefully, preventing any disruption to communal harmony in the town,” as per PTI.
Offering namaz in public places outside mosques and idgahs has stirred controversy in the state in the past.
(With inputs from PTI)
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