Just before Eid, a social media influencer from Hyderabad has created communal poison in the atmosphere with his alleged objectionable statement. A video is fast going viral, in which he is bent upon instigating Muslims and calling for offering Namaz on the streets across the country. In this regard, he has also given an open challenge to the UP administration.
Syed Ayub, founder of Hyderabad Youth Courage (HYC), posted this video on the night of March 15, in which he is saying, Namaz will be offered on the streets not only in Sambhal, but all over India, Inshallah. In the video, Ayub used derogatory words for UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and accused the Yogi government of discriminating against Muslims.
Ayub, who has around 20 lakh followers on Instagram, said that if Eidgahs are filled then Muslims will offer namaz on the streets and they are not going to be afraid of threats of jail or case. In the video, he also alleged that Holi is celebrated on the streets, fights take place, then no one gets hurt, but objection is raised on Namaz. In the end, citing constitutional rights, he said, ‘I have as much right in this India as you have.’
Statement of Sambhal Police Officer Kuldeep Kumar
This controversy has come in a case related to Sambhal, where Sambhal Police Officer Kuldeep Kumar had clearly said in the Peace Committee meeting on March 12 that Namaz will not be allowed on public roads and for doing so, one can be sent to jail. On the other hand, Allahabad High Court strongly reprimanded the UP officials in the same case and said that if the SSP and Collector are unable to maintain law and order, then they should resign or seek transfer from Sambhal. This controversy, which arose before Eid, has further intensified the ongoing debate regarding Namaz on the streets across the country. This issue is now hot on all three fronts, court, administration and social platform.
Muslim scholars are calling Syed Ayub’s statement unnecessary. He says that such statements only harm the community and Ayub has made this statement as a strategy to become famous by bringing himself into controversy.
