Lucknow: In a move that has stirred considerable controversy, the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has banned Muslims from praying at a historic mosque located within the Muzaffarnagar District Jail complex.

According to Kashmir Media Service announcement issued on 16 August 2024, the mosque, which dates back to 1838 during the British colonial period, has served as a prayer site for the local Muslim community for decades. The recent decision by the jail authorities to deny entry to Muslims seeking to pray at the mosque has ignited widespread discontent and accusations of religious discrimination.

Local resident Mohammad Rafi shared his distressing encounter with the new policy, stating that he was barred from entering the mosque for prayer by prison guards citing orders from the jailer. His attempts to address the issue were met with hostility and threats, further exacerbating tensions within the community.

This ban is perceived by many Muslims in the area as a severe infringement on their religious freedoms, marking a significant disruption in their longstanding tradition of worship at the site. The issue has drawn parallels with another recent incident in Uttar Pradesh, where a ticket collector was reported to have stopped Muslims from praying on a train, heightening fears of systematic discrimination under the current administration.

The local Muslim community has been vocal in its appeal to the authorities to lift the ban and restore their access to the mosque, underscoring the mosque’s historical and cultural importance to them and the broader implication of such exclusions.