Indian Court Upholds Muslims’ Right to Friday Prayers Alongside Hindu Celebrations

Indian Court Upholds Muslims’ Right to Friday Prayers Alongside Hindu Celebrations
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India’s Supreme Court has affirmed the right of Muslims in the state of Madhya Pradesh to perform Friday prayers on the same day as Hindu celebrations marking Basant Panchami, stressing that freedom of worship is a fundamental constitutional right that cannot be restricted due to the overlap of religious observances.

The ruling followed controversy that emerged as Basant Panchami coincided with a Friday this year, prompting calls from some Hindu groups to ban Friday prayers in favor of Hindu festivities. The court rejected these demands, emphasizing that religious coexistence cannot be achieved by excluding one community in favor of another.

In its judgment, the court stated that India’s constitution guarantees equality of religion without discrimination and protects the right of all citizens to practice their faith freely. It added that overlapping religious events do not justify curtailing constitutionally protected rights.

The court directed local authorities to put in place appropriate administrative and security arrangements to ensure that both prayers and celebrations can take place peacefully, including organizing separate times and designated areas within the same locality to prevent disruption and maintain public order.

The decision was widely seen as reinforcing the principle of religious pluralism in India, underlining the judiciary’s role in safeguarding constitutional freedoms and promoting communal harmony in a country characterized by cultural and religious diversity.