The Gujarat High Court Thursday directed the district Superintendent of Police to decide on the request of a petitioner who has sought police protection for performing the Friday congregation prayers at Juma Masjid, Bajana, in Surendranagar district. Justice Sonia Gokani disposed of a petition moved by Isubbhai Langha, a resident of Bajana who sought police protection between 1 pm and 2:30 pm at Juma Masjid for him and others for offering prayers on every Friday. The petitioner had said that he was compelled to approach the court due to a dispute growing between two Muslims sects — Barelvi and Deobandi. The petitioner Langha, who happens to be from Deobandi sect, has alleged the people from the other sect have been allegedly not allowing him and others to offer prayers at the mosque and on every Friday they are facing hurdles for entering the mosque. According to the petition, there have been three clashes between some people of the two sects which resulted into police cases in the past. And on every Friday when people from Deobandi sect go to the mosque, the oldest in Bajana, they are reportedly threatened by people from Barelvi sect. [related-post] “The dispute is between two sects, namely, ‘Barelvi’ sect and Deobandi’ sect. Three complaints have been filed and the petitioner apprehends harassment from the other side, and therefore, has sought protection during such prayer,” the order states. Allowing the petition justice Gokani ordered, “petitioner is directed to approach Superintendent of Police, Surendranagar, which shall bear in mind the contents of the petition as also the representation made on 4.2.2016 and decide at the earliest, request of grant of police protection after scrutinizing all the aspects carefully.”
