HC allows Bakrid prayers at Nainital Flat Ground after admin bars DSA venue

Dehradun: Days after chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said namaz would not be permitted on public roads in Uttarakhand, high court allowed Muslims in Nainital to offer Bakrid prayers at the town’s Flat Ground after the district administration barred the use of the District Sports Association (DSA) Sports Ground for the congregation.A single-judge bench of justice Pankaj Purohit passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Anjuman-e-Islamia challenging the administration’s refusal to allow Eid prayers at DSA Sports Ground. The court permitted the prayers at Flat Ground between 9am and 10am and directed police and local administration to make necessary arrangements for peace and security during the congregation.Last week, Dhami had said govt would not allow namaz on roads and that prayers should be held only at mosques, Eidgahs and designated places. “Namaz should be offered only at designated places, not on roads,” he had said, adding that strict action would be taken against anyone obstructing public roads, especially at a time when lakhs of pilgrims were undertaking Char Dham yatra.The Nainital administration had on Tuesday issued directions that public Eid prayers would not be permitted at DSA Sports Ground, and members of the Muslim community were asked to offer prayers inside mosques, private residences or private establishments. DM Lalit Mohan Rayal later said the district administration would not grant permission for namaz or any other activity at DSA Sports Ground and appealed to people to offer Eid prayers peacefully at permitted places.After the order, a peace committee meeting was convened at Mallital Kotwali to review Eid preparations. Office-bearers of Anjuman-e-Islamia requested administration and police officials to allow congregational prayers at DSA Ground, saying it had been an annual practice, but the sub-divisional magistrate said permission could be granted only after no-objection certificates and clearances from the departments concerned.Confusion continued through the day over permission for prayers at the ground. Reports initially suggested the DSA general secretary had granted permission, but a later order effectively revoked it, leaving the final decision with district administration and prompting Anjuman-e-Islamia to approach HC .In court, the petitioners sought permission to hold Bakrid prayers at a public venue, saying the community needed a designated open space for the congregation. The court allowed the use of Flat Ground instead of DSA Sports Ground and directed authorities to ensure that prayers were conducted peacefully and without disruption.