Restrictions on religious gatherings cannot be eased , Centre tells Delhi HC

The Delhi Waqf Board filed a petition seeking courts directive to ease restrictions to allow people to pray inside Nizamuddin Markaz during Ramzan.

Last year in March, Masjid Bangley Wali in Nizamuddin in south Delhi was closed following a case registered over a gathering of the Tablighi Jamaat sect organised at a time when coronavirus cases were growing in India.

The court had questioned Centre's decision to allow 20 people at a time inside the Makaz for prayers from the list of 200 people verified by the police.

The court asked the Centre to submit its new stand on banning all social, religious, cultural, political, sports and academic gatherings in an affidavit.

"The competent authority will file an affidavit indicating as to the manner in which clause (ii) of the prohibition at Sr.No.1, Annexure-A to the order dated 10th April, 2021 of the DDMA is being implemented and whether religious/festival related and other gatherings and congregations are being permitted to take place or not including in the temples, mosques, churches etc. in the region of NCT of Delhi," the Court directed, reported Bar and Bench.

The Delhi High Court also said a list of 200 people is not acceptable.

Yesterday, the Centre referred to the Delhi Disaster Management Act guidelines stopping all religious gatherings, a rule which applies only to Delhi.