AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

New Delhi: AIMIM chairman Asaduddin Owaisi Friday said if praying on the streets is considered wrong, the ban should apply equally to religious activities of all religions, citing Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and the right to freely practice and profess one’s faith.Addressing the Eid Milap event, Owaisi argued that the public’s objection to namaz amounted to double standards and questioned why similar concerns were not raised over religious processions and celebrations organized by other communities.“Remember Article 25. If it is wrong to offer Namaz on the road, then it is wrong to come on the road during the festival of every religion. If you say that meat shops should be closed during someone’s festival, then close liquor shops for 30 days of Ramzan.” Close liquor shops for 30 days,’ Owaisi said.Alleging double standards, Owaisi said that people have no objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches, but have objection to Azaan and Namaz. He also questioned the restrictions imposed on the sale of eggs, meat and chicken during Hindu festivals and asked, ‘What kind of law is this?’He said, “Your hatred is purely for Muslims. And your hatred clearly shows that you want to suppress the followers of this religion and marginalize them. You want to make them second class citizens.”The AIMIM president alleged that whenever major Muslim festivals like Ramzan or Bakrid come, issues related to azaan and namaz are deliberately raised.“Problem with Azaan, problem with Namaz. What has happened to you guys?” he asked.The comments come amid the ongoing political debate over prayers in public places and recent directions from authorities in several states aimed at ensuring that religious gatherings do not disrupt traffic or public movement.Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that namaz should be performed in a regulated manner and, if necessary, can be organized in multiple shifts to avoid inconvenience to the public. He said officials will seek compliance through persuasion before taking further steps to enforce public order norms.The Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government decided not to allow the traditional Eid congregation on Kolkata’s Red Road and shifted the gathering to the Brigade Parade Ground to prevent spillover of prayers onto public roads.Continuing his criticism, Owaisi compared it with religious processions and processions, saying that during such events the streets are often occupied and similar objections are not raised.On prayers being offered on the streets, he said that this happens only for Friday or Eid prayers and not every day. He said, “In India, festivals of every religion happen on the street, right? You don’t see them; you become blind to them.”(With inputs from ANI)