The High Court of Allahabad on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking permission to allow opening of mosques on the Occasion of Eid.
The division bench comprising of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Siddharth Verma was hearing a petition filed by Shahid Ali, seeking a direction from the State Government to allow opening of Mosques and ‘Eidgah’ for an hour on the occasion of Eid to allow the Muslims to offer ‘EidNamaz’.
The petitioner also sought permission for opening of mosques for an hour on Fridays to offer Friday prayers. The petitioner submitted that according to rituals, EidNamaz and Friday prayers are offered in congregation, and this condition will not be fulfilled if the prayer is offered at home.
The bench however dismissing the petition directed the petitioner to make a representation before the State Government. Further the bench clarified that if the State Government rejects the representation, then the petitioner will be at liberty to approach the High Court.
Amid COVID 19 Pandemic, Government has closed all religious institutions and all religious gatherings have been prohibited to contain the further spread of COVID 19.
-India Legal Bureau