Gurugram: Muslims in Haryana’s Gurugram faced yet another opposition from right-wing groups yesterday while trying to offer namaz. For the past few months, Muslims have faced protests, interruption while trying to offer prayers in open spaces, particularly on government-owned land. Such incidents have been continuing for the past few months in the city, which is part of the national capital region.
This week – at the city’s Uyog Vihar neighbourhood – there was a heated exchange of words after an angry mob seemed to harass Muslims gathered to pray, demanding they chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai.’
Visuals now going viral on social media platforms has shown two groups (some of whom had no face masks) shouting at each other.
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A man wearing a saffron-coloured shawl, another man in a maroon shirt and wool cap, and a third in a blue shirt can be heard demanding the Muslims shout ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai.’
"We will force you... You will have to say it... you will have to say it... you will have to say it," the man in the maroon shirt screams. "Why can't you say it... Do you live in Pakistan?" another person is heard.
"We're trying to pray... why are you doing this?" the Muslims ask but their pleas are drowned out.
At this point the man in the saffron shawl points a finger at the Muslims and says: "If you want to stay in Bharat, you have to say it ('Bharat mata ki jai')."
Some of the Muslims gathered to pray then start a chant of their own: "Mahatma Gandhi ki... jai, Mahatma Gandhi ki... jai, Mahatma Gandhi ki... jai."
